PhD Opportunity in Stream Restoration and Invasive Species at Virginia Tech

We are recruiting a highly motivated student to work on an interdisciplinary project titled “Identifying restoration practices and landscape variables that increase native plant establishment and mitigate plant invasion” that will be based at Virginia Tech (https://vt.edu) in the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences (https://spes.vt.edu). This project will involve field work in stream restoration projects largely in Maryland to identify elements of the landscape and restoration practices that facilitate native plant establishment and minimize invasion, and will involve faculty in invasive species ecology, restoration ecology, and stream restoration.
The successful candidate will be located on the main campus in Blacksburg, VA and is expected to start January 2023. The assistantship will include a competitive 12-month stipend (~$26,000-28,000) and a tuition waiver (worth ~$14,000), and a subsidy of the university’s student medical insurance plan. There will be opportunities to join the Interfaces of Global Change (https://globalchange.vt.edu/graduate.html) Interdisciplinary Graduate Education Program within the Global Change Center (https://globalchange.vt.edu), including being eligible for a 1-yr paid assistantship.
Preferred Qualifications
Candidates from populations underrepresented in ecology and conservation
Masters degree and/or a publication record in ecology or a related field
An enterprising curiosity about nature and a desire to conserve biodiversity
Unwavering high standards for scientific protocols and methods
Ability to work independently as well as on a collaborative team
Please send your CV, cover letter outlining your interest, and names and contact information for three references to Jacob Barney ([email protected]).
Jacob Barney, PhD
Associate Professor
Invasive Plant Ecology
School of Plant and Environmental Sciences
Virginia Tech
Steger Hall (0477)
1015 Life Science Circle
Blacksburg, VA 24061
540.231.6323