The Bentley Lab at Sonoma State University is seeking applicants for two fully funded M.S. positions to begin in Spring 2025 (with an option to defer until Fall 2025). The research focuses on remote sensing (terrestrial laser scanning) of forests in Northern California and aims to investigate the effects of forest management and wildfire on forest structure, carbon accounting, and modeling future wildfire risk.
Key Information:
- Location: Sonoma State University, California
- Start Date: Spring 2025 (applications due October 31, 2024), with the option to defer to Fall 2025 (applications due January 15, 2025)
- Advisor: Dr. Lisa Bentley
Position Summary:
The funded projects will involve working with terrestrial laser scanning to study forest management practices and the impact of wildfires on forest structure. The selected candidates will gain valuable experience in carbon accounting and wildfire risk modeling using advanced spatial data processing tools.
Key Responsibilities:
- Conduct fieldwork in Northern California forests to collect and analyze terrestrial laser scanning data.
- Investigate the effects of forest management practices and wildfire on forest structure and carbon dynamics.
- Use remote sensing, GIS, and programming tools (e.g., ArcGIS, R, Python) to process and model data related to forest ecosystems and fire ecology.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in fieldwork in ecology or a related discipline.
- Skills related to spatial data processing, modeling, or coding (e.g., ArcGIS, R, Python, TreeQSM).
- Strong interest in forest ecology, carbon accounting, wildfire risk, and remote sensing technologies.
Funding:
These positions are fully funded, covering tuition and a stipend through grant-funded projects.
Application Instructions:
Interested candidates should email Dr. Lisa Bentley ([email protected]) with:
- A CV.
- A description of research interests.
- Information about your fieldwork experience.
- Skills related to spatial data processing, modeling, or coding (e.g., ArcGIS, R, Python, TreeQSM).
Deadline for Spring 2025 applications: October 31, 2024
Deadline for Fall 2025 applications: January 15, 2025
Reach out to Dr. Bentley to discuss the position before applying and inquire about the possibility of deferring the start date if needed.