Graduate Research Assistant in Subtropical Forest Management/Fire Ecology Research in Abaco Islands, The Bahamas

Our team is seeking a graduate student (Fall 2024) to work on a research project funded by the US Forest Service. Our research seeks to quantify Hurricane Dorian’s impact on fuels, fire, forest structure, and biological diversity in the pineyards in the Abaco Islands (The Bahamas). The successful applicant will work in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team composed of researchers and staff from the Bahamas National Trust, the Bahamian Ministry of the Environment & Housing’s Forestry Unit, Florida International University Institute of Environment, and the US Forest Service Southern Research Station (Athens Prescribed Fire Science Laboratory). The student’s research will focus on post-fire and hurricane recovery in the pineyards systems, with a broader goal of improving forest management in this fire-adapted ecosystem. Fieldwork will be conducted in the Abaco Islands. Engagement with local stakeholders is requisite throughout the entirety of the project, with the student participating (and in some cases, leading) community workshops and meetings about research results.

The successful applicant will be admitted as either a PhD student in the Earth Systems Science program or as an MS student in the Environmental Studies program at Florida International University’s Department of Earth and Environment (Department of Earth and Environment | College of Arts, Sciences & Education | Florida International University (fiu.edu)). The student will be based in Miami, FL.

Required Qualifications:

  • BS in Forestry, Environmental Studies, Biology, Geography, or closely related field required; MS preferred (for PhD opportunity)
  • Strong communication skills in spoken and written English
  • Preferred Experience: Strong quantitative skills, previous fieldwork experience, international experience helpful (but not required)

How to Apply: For questions regarding the position, please contact Drs. Cara Rockwell (crockwel), Brittany Harris (bharris), and Mike Ross (rossm). Please state “Graduate Research Assistant Position: Subtropical Forest Management/Fire Ecology Research in Abaco Islands, The Bahamas” in the email subject line and include the following documents:

  • Cover letter (maximum of two pages)
  • CV or resume
  • Copies of unofficial transcripts
  • Contact information for three references (Names, positions, email, phone, and relationship to applicant)
  • TOEFL scores (if applicable)

Please combine the above documents into a single PDF.

Stipend: Competitive salary + tuition waiver

Deadline for Fall 2024 admission: February 1, 2024

For admission requirements to the FIU Department of Earth and Environment, please contact Gail Excell (excellg).

All applicant materials should be submitted to the FIU Office of Graduate Admissions via the online application system (Online Admission Application (fiu.edu)). Use the graduate admissions checklist (Steps to Apply | Admissions | Florida International University (fiu.edu)) to get started.

Brittany Harris, PhD

Research Associate

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) & Remote Sensing Center