Open Graduate Assistantship Positions

MS Graduate Assistantship: Remote sensing-based assessment of conservation-related management activities, College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama.
The Geospatial Analytics Lab (https://geospatial.auburn.edu/) has an opening for a 2-year MS graduate research assistantship in the College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment at Auburn University. This position will be co-supervised by Dr. Lana Narine (https://cfwe.auburn.edu/profile/lana-narine/) and Dr. Allie McCreary (https://cfwe.auburn.edu/profile/allie-mccreary/). The project will focus on the utilization of multi-source remote sensing data from airborne and spaceborne platforms, in conjunction with field-based data, to assess conservation-related management activities, including habitat management activities, such as prairie habitat restoration, fuel load/hazard reduction activities, and invasive species management. Data (remotely sensed and field) pre- and post-treatment will be examined to characterize vegetation attributes, develop spatially complete assessments, and determine changes in ecosystem characteristics using generated mapped products. The position begins fall semester of 2024 (August 19th).

Required Qualifications:
• BS degree in Forestry, Ecology, or closely related field
• Excellent communication skills in oral and written English and ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• A strong background in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and/or experience with remote sensing
• A positive attitude and work ethic
• Meet general (minimum) admission requirements, as outlined here (Graduate School): https://wordpress.auburn.edu/graduate/prospective-students/general-admission-requirements/

Desired Qualifications:
• Background in lidar remote sensing, machine learning
• Experience with characterizing vegetation structure with remotely sensed data
• Experience in scientific writing, and data analysis
Salary: $20,000 per year, plus tuition remission and benefits

How to Apply:
Interested individuals should contact Dr. Lana Narine (lln0005@auburn.edu) and Dr. Allie McCreary at aem0200@auburn.edu with any questions and to apply. To apply, please state “MS Assistantship Position” in the email subject line and include a single PDF document with the following: (i) CV, (ii) statement of interest/personal statement, (iii) TOFEL or IELTS scores (if applicable) and GRE scores (if available), (iv) unofficial transcripts and (v) names and emails of three (3) references. Applications are due by March 15th, but we encourage you to apply as soon as possible because applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis. More information about our graduate program can be found here: https://cfwe.auburn.edu/graduate-study/graduate-degrees/

Past/Closed Graduate Assistantships

MS GRA: Remote Sensing of vegetation for wildlife habitat
The USGS Alabama Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (https://www1.usgs.gov/coopunits/unit/Alabama), in collaboration with the Geospatial Analytics Lab (https://geospatial.auburn.edu/) has an opening for a fully funded MS graduate research assistantship in the College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment at Auburn University. This position will be co-supervised by Dr. Jonathon Valente (https://www.jonathonvalente.com/) and Dr. Lana Narine. Using remote sensing and in-situ vegetation surveys, the graduate assistant will examine how vegetation and landcover has changed on and around state-owned Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) across Alabama as a function of historical management. This project will entail the integration of ground-based measurements with data derived from multiple remote sensing platforms using statistical and machine learning techniques for spatially explicit characterizations of vegetation attributes. This research is being conducted as part of a larger effort to understand the impacts of historical management activities on biodiversity of local wildlife and to inform future approaches to habitat management on state lands. As part of this interdisciplinary collaboration, the student will be mentored in remote sensing, field-based vegetation survey techniques, and wildlife habitat management and the student will have the opportunity to collaborate with a large team comprised of AU faculty and graduate students, and biologists from the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. In addition, this project will involve field-based sampling in 6 ecoregions (Interior Low Plateau, Southwestern Appalachians, Ridge and Valey, Piedmont, Southeastern Plains, and Southern Coastal Plain) throughout Alabama, the most biodiverse U.S. state east of the Mississippi River.
The position begins Fall 2023 (August 16th). Prospective candidates should be highly motivated, interested in developing field- and computer-based skills, and have a strong background in one or more of the following areas: GIS, remote sensing, forestry, ecology, botany, or habitat management.

Required Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Ecology, or closely related field
• Strong communication skills in oral and written English and ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Strong background in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and/or experience with remote sensing
• Self-motivation, a positive attitude, and strong interpersonal skills

Desired Qualifications:
• Demonstrated history of presenting and publishing peer-reviewed research
• Experience working with government agencies
• Experience with vegetation sampling, scientific writing, and data analysis

How to Apply:
Interested individuals should contact Dr. Jonathon Valente (jjv0016@auburn.edu) and Dr. Lana Narine at lln0005@auburn.edu with any questions. To apply, please state “MS Assistantship Position” in the email subject line and include a single PDF document with the following: (i) CV, (ii) statement of interest/personal statement, (iii) GRE and/or TOFEL scores (if available), (iv) unofficial transcripts and (v) names and emails of three references. Applications are due by April 16th, but we encourage you to apply as soon as possible because applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis. More information about our graduate program can be found here: https://cfwe.auburn.edu/graduate-study/graduate-degrees/

PhD GRA: Remote Sensing of Forest Biomass
The Geospatial Analytics Lab at Auburn University is currently seeking applicants for a 3-year PhD program of research in the assessment of forest biomass and carbon using remote sensing technologies. The start date is the beginning of January 2023 (Spring 2023). The project will focus on the development of methods and frameworks to characterize and map forest biomass and carbon at multiple spatial scales, using light detection and ranging (lidar) data in conjunction with other earth observation data. This will entail the integration of field-based measurements with data derived from multiple remote sensing platforms using statistical and machine learning modeling techniques for spatially comprehensive, accurate and detailed forest biomass and carbon stock estimations (above and belowground) across landscapes (local, state, regional scales). This project is part of a large, interdisciplinary collaboration, with research and outreach in interrelated areas of forest carbon. Students (2) selected for these positions will be expected to effectively communicate across disciplines and maintain a strong record of scholarly publications.

Required Qualifications:
-MS in Forestry, Ecology, or closely related field
-Strong communication skills in oral and written English and ability to work as part of a team and independently.
-Strong background in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and/or experience with remote sensing

Preferred Experience:
-Publication record
-Background in lidar remote sensing (particularly airborne lidar), machine learning
-Experience with biomass estimation using remote sensing data

How to Apply:
Interested individuals should contact Dr. Lana Narine at lln0005@auburn.edu by October 31st, 2022. Please state “PhD Assistantship Position” in the email subject line and include: (i) your research interests (statement of interest), (ii)TOFEL, (iii) CV, (iv) unofficial transcripts and (v) GRE scores, if available. Review if applicants will begin immediately and remain open until filled.
More information about our graduate program can be found here: https://cfwe.auburn.edu/graduate-study/graduate-degrees/

PhD GRA: Remote sensing of Forest Health
Seeking an ambitious candidate for a 3-year PhD program of research in the area of remote sensing of forest health, beginning Fall/Spring of 2022/2023. This is a full funded PhD assistantship in the College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment at Auburn University. The applicant hired to fill this position will conduct multi-scale research to detect and assess the movement of an emerging fungal pathogen of pine trees in the southeastern US. The PhD candidate will have a unique opportunity to learn and apply innovative remote sensing technologies and machine learning methods, including the acquisition and analysis of imagery and light detection and ranging (lidar) data from UAVs at the local scale, and integration of airborne lidar and satellite data for broader scale applications. They will also contribute to dissemination of results through scientific publications and conference presentations. This project is part of a large, interdisciplinary, and multi-institutional collaboration that includes graduate students, postdocs, and scientists. As such, the ability to communicate across disciplines is critical. Qualified backgrounds include forestry, ecology, geography, natural resources, or closely related fields. Skills in GIS and remote sensing are also essential to completing this project.
Required Qualifications:

-MS in Forestry, Ecology, or closely related field
-Strong communication skills in oral and written English
-Completed coursework in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and/or experience with remote sensing
Preferred Experience:
-Strong quantitative skills
-Publication record

Last Date to Apply: 10/01/2022

How to Apply:
Interested individuals should contact Dr. Lana Narine at lln0005@auburn.edu. Please state “PhD Assistantship Position” in the email subject line and include: (i) your research interests (statement of interest), (ii) GRE and/or TOFEL scores, (iii) CV and (iv) unofficial transcripts. Review if applicants will begin immediately and remain open until filled.
More information about our graduate program can be found here: https://cfwe.auburn.edu/graduate-study/graduate-degrees/