STARTING DATE: May 2021 or August 2021
CLOSING DATE: Position is open until filled.
DESCRIPTION: Student will be supported by a West Virginia Department of Agriculture- funded 12-month Research Assistantship.
The student will be working on a project entitled “West Virginia Log-Grown Shiitake Mushrooms: Enhancing Training and Producer Networks Across the State”, funded by the West Virginia Department of Agriculture. The specific objectives of the project are to: 1. Increase the number of productive shiitake mushroom growers in West Virginia; 2. identify and enhance shiitake mushroom grower networks to support increased efficiency and market access; 3. demonstrate the diversity of production techniques to new, established, and potential growers by developing biographical sketches of existing shiitake mushroom producers in the state; and 4. estimate the economic impact of potential expansion of shiitake mushroom production in the state. The student will be assisting in the workshops and in conducting marketing and economic impact analyses of shiitake mushroom production in West Virginia.
The student will be working toward an M.S. in Forestry at West Virginia University (https://forestry.wvu.edu/ graduate/master-s-programs/ forestry) with a focus on forest economics and management.
QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS:
· An earned B.S. degree with strong communications and quantitative skills.
· Minimum GPA of 3.0 and completion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
· Three letters of recommendation from individuals qualified to evaluate the student’s potential for masters studies and independent research.
· Official undergraduate transcripts
· A typed composition of at least 600 words indicating the student’s purpose and objective in undertaking graduate studies as related to major issues in that area,
· A minimum TOEFL score of 550 as required by the University (for international non-English native language students only).
STIPEND: $18,000/year plus health insurance and tuition waiver.