PhD Assistantships Examining Biodiversity, Ecosystem Service, Cultural, and Economic Benefits and Tradeoffs Across Forest Adaptation Approaches at the University of Vermont
Project: Relatively little is known about best adaptation strategies for addressing climate change impacts on forests in ways that balance key ecosystem services like carbon storage with other desired outcomes, including sustaining biodiversity and cultural and economic values. To address this knowledge gap, The University of Vermont (Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources) seeks two PhD-level graduate students to participate in a research project focused on evaluating the biodiversity, ecosystem service, cultural, and economic benefits and tradeoffs across forest adaptation approaches in northern New England. The PhD students will work closely together and will join a team of collaborators from the University of Vermont and Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science and an extensive group of partners from Tribal, State, and Federal agencies and non-profit organizations. One student will focus on understanding the biodiversity, carbon, and resilience outcomes of forest adaptation strategies. The other will focus on understanding how cultural, economic, and public values are affected by different adaptation approaches. A primary goal is to synthesize the actionable science needed to develop best adaptation practices and sound policies that sustain services, values, and species for diverse partners across the region. These positions are available for Summer 2025 and include four guaranteed years of funding (stipend, tuition waiver, and health insurance).
Application: Interested applicants should supply all application materials to the UVM Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources (RSENR) Program (PhD in Natural Resources) by February 1, 2025 – when applying, please state your interest in this position in the “Statement of Purpose.“
Contacts:
Dr. Anthony D’Amato (awdamato@uvm.edu, 802-656-8030)
Dr. Rachelle Gould (rgould@uvm.edu)
Dr. Carol Adair (carol.adair@uvm.edu)
Dr. Brendan Fisher (bfisher@uvm.edu)