Job Type: MS, PhD, on-site
Location: Utah State University - Logan, UT
Pay: $23,500-$24,500 annual stipend, plus benefits and travel allowance
Discipline Areas: Forest Ecology, Disturbance Ecology, Forest Health, Fire Ecology
Research Topic: Disturbance Ecology & Management across the Intermountain West, Forest Service Region 4.
Start Date: as early as August 2026
Compensation: $23,500 - 24,500 annual stipend + benefits (tuition, fees, insurance), & travel allowance
PhD 5 years of funding (Howe Lab)
MS 2 years of funding (Yocom Lab)
National Needs Fellows at Utah State University: Utah State University’s Quinney College of Agriculture & Natural Resources seeks an MS student and a PhD student to join our cohort of National Needs Fellows (NNF), in support of United Stated Department of Agriculture project funded to facilitate management of Forest Service, Region 4 Disaster Recovery. Two graduate students are sought to join the NNF cohort and participate in a graduate research project designed to improve understanding of the scientific rationale underpinning forest resources management. Mandatory student activities will include: 1) teamwork skill development; 2) collective involvement in extension and seminar-type activities focused on building leadership skills; 3) development of mentoring skills, and; 4) training in state-of-the-art tools and skills. These activities will be delivered through mentoring from the project team of faculty advisors. Ultimately, the goal is to increase workforce development in Forest Resources and Disaster Recovery.
Project Goals:
PhD student: A) quantify and monitor how management activities and silviculture treatments affect forest structure and trajectories in areas affected by biotic disturbance, abiotic disturbance, or both; and B) elucidate the joint drivers of biotic and abiotic disturbance across the Intermountain West.
MS student: investigate the effectiveness of fire risk reduction strategies in mixed-conifer forests in the Intermountain West.
Collaboration: This project is highly collaborative, and the student will work closely with a team of faculty including Dr. Michael Howe, Dr. Larissa Yocom, Dr. Justin DeRose, and Dr. Catrin Edgeley.
Expectations: Students are expected to maintain clean, organized databases, lead contributions to collective projects and publish their work in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Students are expected to participate in all NNF cohort activities. They will have opportunities to present their work to diverse audiences, including private landowners, policymakers, and the scientific community.
Requirements:
PhD student: MS in forestry, entomology, ecology, or related degree.
MS student: BS/BA in forestry, ecology, biology, or related degree.
Highly qualified candidates with degrees in other fields will be considered. Preferred qualifications include qualitative and quantitative skills and field experience. Review of applications will start immediately and continue until the position is filled.
To apply, please email the following to Dr. Michael Howe (mike.howe@usu.edu) or Dr. Larissa Yocom (larissa.yocom@usu.edu): 1) a cover letter describing your experience and interest; 2) a CV or resume; 3) unofficial transcripts; and 4) a list of three professional references and their contact information.
