MS assistantship in Natural Resource Management

I have one 2-year MS assistantship available for a student interested in the
social and economic aspects of natural resource management and alternative
energy systems.

Location: Department of Natural Resource Ecology & Management, Iowa State
University. Ames, IA. You would become one of the founding members of the
NREM Socio-Economic Research Lab. Ideal students will have an interest in
sociology, economics, and ecology.

The research involved is in the realm of sustainable biomass systems for
biofuel/bioproduct production. Key research questions involve: What biomass
fuel sources most effectively supply jointly produced economic, social, and
environmental benefits (while minimizing potential negative impacts) in the
US Cornbelt? What new crops, cropping systems, forest management
practices, machinery and techniques for harvesting, storing, and
transporting biomass are required for its sustainable development? What
ecosystem goods and services can be qualified and then quantified within a
partially perennialized agricultural landscape as compared to traditional
row-crop systems. Research flexibility is always provided for the
development of student-interest research questions.

Research will involve systems modeling, stakeholder based assessments and
interdisciplinary perspectives. Quantitative aptitude and reasonably
developed verbal and written skills are a distinct plus. The student will be
expected to present results of his/her research at regional and national
meetings and to prepare manuscripts of these findings for publication in the
peer-reviewed literature.

Stipend: $18,000 per year plus health benefits and subsidized tuition (at
least 50%). Start date: ISU Spring semester 2009.

Prior to formal application to Iowa State University, interested applicants
are strongly encouraged to contact Dr. John Tyndall (jtyndall@iastate.edu;
515.294.4912) with a letter of interest, including cumulative GPA, GRE
scores if available, description of any previous research experience, and
contact information for three references. Please feel free to contact John
with any informal inquiries. If you wish to send hard copies, these may be
submitted to John Tyndall, Department of Natural Resource Ecology and
Management, 339 Science II, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50014. Review of
applications will begin immediately and continue until a suitable applicant
is found.