Graduate Research Assistantship – Forest Silviculture

Hiring Organization: University of Tennessee
Employment type: Full-Time
Job Location: Knoxville, TN
Application Due Date: November 30, 2026

A doctoral Graduate Research Assistantship is available in the School of Natural Resources at The University of Tennessee with advisor Dr. Stacy Byrd (Associate Professor of Silviculture and Forest Ecology). The successful applicant will develop and lead research on assessing 20-year forest management and silvicultural effects on oak sustainability in the Cumberland Plateau. The project will focus on two long-term (20+ years), landscape-level silvicultural projects developed collaboratively with the USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station and the Southern Region of the National Forest System. The PhD student will be responsible for collecting vegetation data in established plots and empirically testing silvicultural treatments, including prescribed fire, regeneration harvesting, thinning, and herbicide competition control, and effects on stand health, stand dynamics, and oak regeneration.

Applicants must have a Master of Science degree in Forestry, Ecology, Natural Resources, Environmental Sciences, or a closely related field. Applicants must have demonstrated the ability to work in or manage teams to collect field data in challenging environmental conditions. Preferred candidates should have skills and knowledge of upland hardwood ecosystems and their silviculture and a record of publication and technology transfer. Applicants should have strong skills with data management and analysis and written and oral communication. To apply, submit the following to Dr. Stacy Byrd (sbyrd@utk.edu) by November 30, 2026

a cover letter that includes a statement of personal career goals
resume or curriculum vitae
transcripts (unofficial) from higher education institutions
three references including name, title, affiliation, and contact information

The GRA will provide an annual stipend of $37,512, a tuition waiver, and the option of health insurance coverage and will be funded for three years. The position will start January 2027 but can be postponed until May 2027. Applications will be reviewed as they are received until the position is filled. Additional information about the University of Tennessee’s School of Natural Resources graduate program can be found at https://naturalresources.tennessee.edu/doctoral-program/. Information about Dr. Byrd’s teaching and research programs can be found at https://utia.tennessee.edu/person/?id=2775

Stacy A. Byrd, PhD

Associate Professor of Silviculture and Forest Ecology

School of Natural Resources

The University of Tennessee

Knoxville, TN 37996