PhD Assistantship: Examining Ecological and Silvicultural Outcomes of Forest Adaptation Strategies at the University of Vermont
Project: Climate change and associated stressors, like non-indigenous insects and diseases, threaten the species and ecological, cultural, and economic values supported by forest ecosystems around the globe. Currently, there is limited knowledge of best adaptation strategies for addressing these impacts, particularly those that balance goals tied to biodiversity conservation, sustaining ecosystem productivity, and supporting cultural and economic values. To address this knowledge gap, The University of Vermont (Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources) seeks a PhD-level graduate student to participate in a research project focused on evaluating forest ecosystem responses to co-produced adaptation experiments developed as part of the Adaptive Silviculture for Climate Change (ASCC) network. The PhD student will contribute to field-based efforts at ASCC installations in northern New England, as well as utilize network-wide data collections to synthesize outcomes tied to forest assisted migration efforts. They will join a team of collaborators from the University of Vermont, Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science, and wider ASCC network, as well as an extensive group of partners from Tribal, State, and Federal agencies, and non-profit organizations. A primary goal is to synthesize the actionable science needed to develop best adaptation practices that sustain services, values, and species for diverse partners into the future.
This position is available for Summer 2026 and includes four guaranteed years of funding (stipend, tuition waiver, and health insurance).
Application: Interested applicants should supply all application materials to the UVM Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources (RSENR) Program (PhD in Natural Resources) by February 1, 2026 – when applying, please state your interest in this position in the “Statement of Purpose.“
Contact:
Dr. Anthony D’Amato (awdamato@uvm.edu, 802-656-8030)
MS Assistantship: Examining Assisted Migration, Restoration, and
Climate Adaptation of Northern Forests
Project: Relatively little is known about the best strategies for restoring and adapting forests to climate change in ways that sustain biodiversity, carbon storage, and forest-based economies. In particular, there is growing interest in how assisted migration and adaptation tree planting may sustain these values under uncertain future conditions. To address knowledge gaps, the University of Vermont (Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources) seeks a M.S.-level graduate student to participate in a project evaluating the restoration and climate adaptation potential of Northern Forests with a focus on ecological and cultural keystone species like red spruce. The student will join a collaborative team of scientists and managers from UVM, the Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science, The Nature Conservancy, and an extensive group of partners from federal, state, private, and NGO organizations and leverages a network of experimental sites in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. The student will focus on understanding the physiological, phenological, and growth responses of seedlings from diverse genotypes under different site and silvicultural contexts. This includes evaluating the potential for assisted migration as a strategy to sustain keystone species and associated ecosystems under future climate conditions. This work will contribute directly to developing best practices for seed sourcing, propagation, and climate-adaptive reforestation. A primary goal is to co-produce actionable science that informs reforestation decisions and helps sustain ecological and economic benefits of Northern Forest ecosystems.
This position is available beginning Summer (or Fall) 2026 and includes two guaranteed years of funding (stipend, tuition waiver, and health insurance)
Application: Interested applicants should supply all application materials to the UVM Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources (RSENR) Program (MS in Natural Resources) by February 1, 2026 – when applying, please state your interest in this position in the “Statement of Purpose.“
Contacts:
Dr. Pete Clark (pwclark@uvm.edu), RSENR
Dr. Anthony D’Amato (awdamato@uvm.edu), RSENR
Dr. Steve Keller (stephen.keller@uvm.edu), PBIO
Graduate School and Employment Opportunities
Individuals interested in graduate study or employment within the Silviculture and Applied Forest Ecology Lab should review the lab website to see the current areas of research we are working in, as well as the general areas in which I advise students. Generally, I do not accept graduate students unless there is funding available to support your work through an assistantship or fellowship, so please refer to this webpage for advertisements of available assistantships and the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources Graduate Program webpage for information on graduate assistantships.