Utah State University

🔥 Graduate Research Opportunity: Fire Severity in Forest Ecology
📍 Location: Utah State University, Department of Wildland Resources
📅 Start Date: August 2025 or January 2026
💰 Compensation & Benefits: 2-year MS position, $24,000 annual stipend, Tuition, fees, and health insurance coverage

🌿 Project Overview
The selected MS student will join a research project focused on vegetation and soil burn severity. Key aspects include:

Modeling burn severity across different vegetation types

Evaluating multiple burn severity metrics

Investigating burn severity in re-burned areas (places that have experienced repeated fires)

Combining fieldwork and data modeling approaches

👥 Research Team & Goals
Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team

Contribute to pre-fire watershed assessments in California and Colorado

Aim to improve predictions of burn severity and post-fire runoff responses

📋 Student Responsibilities
Conduct fieldwork and lead data collection efforts

Analyze data and develop models

Publish findings in peer-reviewed journals

Present research to scientific and land management audiences

✅ Qualifications
🎓 Bachelor’s degree in forestry, ecology, or a related field (exceptional candidates from other disciplines will be considered)
🔹 Preferred: Strong quantitative/data analysis skills, Experience with fieldwork, Excellent scientific writing ability

Applicants from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply

📩 Application Process
Submit the following to Dr. Larissa Yocom (larissa.yocom@usu.edu):

Cover letter (highlighting experience & research interests)

CV or resume

Unofficial transcripts

Three professional references (names & contact details)

⏳ Review begins immediately—position open until filled.