Graduate Research Assistantship (M.S.): Bottomland Regeneration Ecology
Position
A 12-month funded research assistantship (M.S.) is available beginning May 2020 under the
direction of Dr. Jeremy Stovall and Dr. Rebecca Kidd within the Arthur Temple College of
Forestry and Agriculture (http://atcofa.sfasu.edu/) at Stephen F. Austin State University. SFA
(more than 13,000 students) is located in the historic city of Nacogdoches, Texas (population
approximately 33,000) within the East Texas Pineywoods Ecoregion. This assistantship includes
a stipend of $20,000/year for two years plus health insurance assistance (as needed). Renewal for
the second year is contingent upon a satisfactory performance during the first year. Funding is
available to support travel to conduct field research and to present research findings at national
and regional-level conferences. Although the State of Texas does not allow for direct tuition
waivers, out-of-state students awarded assistantships only pay the Texas resident tuition rate.
Applicants pursuing a B.S. in Forestry or a related-subject area are highly desired as the graduate
student will have the opportunity to assist in teaching laboratories to undergraduates enrolled in
the Arthur Temple College of Forestry & Agriculture.
Desired Qualifications
Applicants with research interests in regeneration ecology, invasive species, restoration ecology,
stand dynamics, or other areas of applied forest ecology are encouraged to apply. Candidates
must have earned a B.S. in Forestry or a related-subject area by the start date. Applicants must
have an overall minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.8 (on a 4.0 scale). If English is not the
applicant’s native language, he/she must demonstrate English proficiency. The minimum score
required to demonstrate English proficiency on the TOEFL is at least 550 on the paper-based
version or 79 IBT (internet-based). Strong communication skills are required in order to be
successful in teaching laboratories. Ability to conduct field research in harsh conditions (e.g.,
heat, insects, standing water, snakes) and maintain a positive attitude is required.