Undergraduate Student Research Assistants

Hiring Organization: Department of Forestry Michigan State University
Employment type: Part-Time
Job Location: E. Lansing, MI
Application Due Date: August 15, 2026

Position description: We are seeking two motivated and detail-oriented undergraduate student research assistants to assist Dr. David MacFarlane and Dr. Chad Papa with a new grant-funded project sponsored by the USDA’S National Agroforestry Center, titled “Advancing protocols for quantifying aboveground productivity in US agroforestry systems.”

Project summary: The purpose of this project is to advance the USDA Forest Service National Agroforestry Center (NAC) and the USDA National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) ability to measure the aboveground productivity of agroforestry systems and monitor conservation outcomes at the program level. Funds will be used to improve current protocols and standards to more cost-effectively leverage data and tools to monitor restoration and conservation outcomes from the purposeful incorporation of perennial woody species into cropping and grazing lands. Key deliverables of this project include improvements to sampling methodologies and models used to measure and monitor biomass in specific agroforestry practices on America's working lands through a Midwestern exploratory study. Additionally, the project will provide training to NAC and NRCS staff filling current knowledge gaps to better satisfy agency missions to support the

health, diversity, and productivity of America's working lands, waters, and communities.

Duties/Responsibilities:

Learn to collect and process data using a terrestrial laser scanner (training will be provided)
Use GIS to manage project maps
Assist with pilot field sampling
Conduct field work to collect data (see Time Frame below)
Other duties as assigned to support project success

Required Qualifications:

Must be enrolled MSU student to be eligible for student employment
A valid driver's license with acceptable driving record may be required for field work

Preferred Qualifications:

Enrolled as Forestry major
Experience with mapping or GIS

Compensation: Position will pay $15/hour and require about 5-10 hours of availability during the Fall semester.

Time Frame: Students hired in Fall 2026 will be eligible for the opportunity to continue in Spring 2027 and be employed full-time during Summer 2027. The bulk of the fieldwork will be in Summer 2027.

Working Conditions: On-campus work will be in a typical office/lab setting. Field work conditions include carrying a less-than-30‐pound pack and exposure to inclement (but not dangerous) weather, heat/humidity, uneven terrain, insects, and allergens.

Location: Work will be based at the Department of Forestry on MSU’s East Lansing, Michigan campus.

To Apply: Submit a brief summary of your education/experience and fit for the position to Dr. David MacFarlane at macfar24@msu.edu along with fall availability. Applications may also be submitted via Handshake by viewing job #11265310.

Deadline: Applications will be considered until the position has been filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Feel free to email Dr. MacFarlane with questions.