STARTING DATE: Spring 2024
DESCRIPTION: The College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences at Clemson University is recruiting a highly motivated Ph.D. student interested in forages, ecosystem services and/or climate-smart forestry to study the impact of silvopasture practices on South Carolina farms. The objectives of this study are to establish native forage silvopasture systems based on rotational grazing at multiple sites, monitor and quantify ecosystem services in silvopasture settings and understand the main challenges of adoption and management of silvopasture systems in the southeastern United States.
The student will work towards a degree in Agricultural Sciences in the college of Agriculture, Forestry Life Sciences at Clemson University (https://www.clemson.edu/cafls/index.html). Clemson University is a public land-grant Carnegie R1 Research University in western South Carolina within view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Students will take classes on the main campus and conduct fieldwork at Clemsons Research and Education Centers in Edisto and Georgetown as well as on farms throughout South Carolina.
QUALIFICATIONS: B.S. or M.S. (for Ph.D.) in Agricultural Sciences, Ecology or Forestry or a closely related field. Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.25. A strong interest or experience in forage science or grasslands is essential. Interest in working with farmers is important. Experience in statistics, gas flux measurements, modeling, and publishing is a plus. Physical exertion in the field, good communication skills and in-state travel will be required. Clemson University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, pregnancy, national origin, age, or disability. We encourage applications from minorities, women, veterans, and all other qualified applicants.
APPLY: The student will be co-advised by Dr. Liliane Silva and Dr. Lydia Halloran. Interested individuals should send a letter of interest, resume, a <1,000-word statement of purpose (why do you want to work on this project, your research interests and experience, and long-term career goals), unofficial copy of transcripts, GRE/TOEFL scores (if available), examples of published papers, and contact information for 3 references by Nov. 30th 2023 to: Dr. Liliane Silva (lseveri@clemson.edu).
