Opportunities

5 positions are available at SUNY-ESF, Syracuse, NY. To learn more about the positions, click on the links below: 

Postdoc Opportunity: MASBio Supply Chain Modeling

We are happy to announce a new MASBio Postdoctoral Research Fellow position focused on supply chain modeling for MASBio Task 2: Biomass Harvest, Logistics and Supply Chain Modeling (https://masbio.wvu.edu/home ). The announcement with detailed information is available here: MASBio Post-Doc Position Description. Candidates can apply here: https://jobs.colostate.edu/postings/89661. 

Qualified candidates should apply before August 15, 2021.

The Postdoctoral Research Fellow will lead the design, development, optimization and dissemination of feedstock supply models for the MASBio region. The position is hosted by Colorado State University and the U.S. Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, with multiple locations offered for possible duty stations. The Postdoc will work closely with other MASBio team members who are responsible for biomass harvest and logistics, supply chain modeling, techno-economic analysis, and life cycle assessment.

For more information about the position, potential candidates can contact me at nathaniel.m.anderson@usda.gov or by phone at (970) 219-2659, or they can also contact Dr. Yu Wei, Professor in the Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship at CSU at yu.wei@colostate.edu.

As demand increases for sustainable and environmentally friendly energy and products, the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, with its abundance of forests and abandoned mine land, is poised to grow its biomass-based renewable energy and products economy. To harness this opportunity, the USDA is funding the establishment of the Mid-Atlantic Sustainable Biomass for Value-Added Products Consortium (MASBio), a group that includes universities, industry partners, national laboratories and governmental agencies interested in advancing the science and practice of sustainable bioproducts. Specifically, the project involves a collaboration between West Virginia University, Penn State University, Virginia Tech, as well as the State University of New York, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USDA Forest Service, and US Department of Energy. The following positions are available:

Postdoctoral Scholar

• The USDA Forest Service Forest Products Laboratory (FPL) / UW-Madison is looking for a post-doctoral researcher as part of a USDA Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Sustainable Agricultural Systems Mid-Atlantic Sustainable Biomass for Value-added Products Consortium (MASBio).  The five-year project will be responsible for 1) quantifying high-resolution and landscape-level environmental impacts using AI tools and 2) integrating the environmental impacts of biomass for value-added products using life-cycle assessment with technoeconomic assessment. To be eligible, a candidate must have a Ph.D. in an accredited engineering field or a field closely related to engineering.  The preferred candidate will have experience in system analyses (LCA, TEA), familiarity with biomass energy production systems, and biogeochemical modeling (e.g., DayCent, EPIC, SWAP).  Additionally experience with artificial intelligence (AI) is beneficial. Candidates should demonstrate an interdisciplinary approach in their research and communication skills to enable work within a multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional team.  The position will be through UW-Madison but housed in the Forest Product Lab in Madison, WI.  Interested applicants should email their C.V. and letter of interest to richard.d.bergman@usda.gov

Ph.D. Opportunities

• Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering focusing on carbon dioxide utilization or nanotechnology (WVU-Morgantown). A Ph.D.-level graduate student is sought to investigate methods for converting carbon dioxide, released from biomass conversion processes, into commercially valuable products. Contact Dr. Bingyun Li for more information (bili@hsc.wvu.edu). Preferred start date January or May 2021.

• Ph.D. in Forest Operations (Virginia Tech) – Dr. Chad Bolding in the Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation at Virginia Tech is searching for a Ph.D.-level graduate student to conduct research regarding forest operations, harvesting system evaluation, woody biomass processing and transportation efficiency, and environmental impacts. Interested students should have completed a Master’s degree (MS or MF) and have a strong background and interest in applied forestry, field data collection, analysis, and reporting.  Contact Dr. Bolding (bolding@vt.edu) for more information. Desired start date Spring 2021 (January).  Summer 2021 (June) candidates will also be considered.

• Ph.D. (or M.S.)  in Forest Resources and Economics (Penn State) – Dr. Michael Jacobson in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management is seeking a M.S.- level graduate student to apply environmental economics and policy to bioeconomy strategies in the mid-Atlantic US with a particular focus on biomass supply economics, economic impacts, quantification and valuation of environmental services, and potential associated policies. Undergraduate degree in agriculture, forestry, environmental economics, or similar required. Familiarity with input-output economic models (e.g. IMPLAN) or environmental process models (e.g. Soil and Water Analysis Tool) applicable to biomass production a plus. Contact Dr. Jacobson (mgj2@psu.edu) for more information. Desired start date Fall 2021.

• Ph.D. in Land and Vegetation Management on soil health and nitrate concentrations (WVU-Morgantown) – A Ph.D.- level graduate student is sought to investigate the impacts of land management and vegetation crops on nitrogen cycling dynamics in bio-based product agroecosystems. Competitive applicants will have a strong interest in soils, vegetation and nutrient cycling. The position includes laboratory and field responsibilities. Contact Dr. Jason Hubbart (Jason.hubbart@mail.wvu.edu) for more information. Desired start date January 2021.

• Ph.D. in Natural Resources Science focusing on cellulosic feedstock production (WVU-Morgantown). A Ph.D.-level graduate student is sought to investigate constraints on feedstock production on highly disturbed landscapes. Competitive applicants will have a strong interest in biofuels, vegetation management, soils and ecophysiology. Contact Dr. Jamie Schuler for more information (Jamie.schuler@mail.wvu.edu). Preferred start date January or May 2021.

• Ph.D. in Reaction Engineering (WVU-Morgantown) A Ph.D.-level graduate student at WVU is sought to investigate biomass catalytic conversion and bio adhesive synthesis. Research is focused on catalysis and reaction engineering. Contact Dr. John Hu,  john.hu@mail.wvu.edu

• Ph.D. in Short Rotation Woody Crops (SUNY ESF) – Dr. Timothy Volk in the Department of Sustainable Resources Management at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, NY is searching for a Ph.D.-level graduate student to conduct research in willow biomass crops with a focus on harvesting operations and associated impacts on GHG emissions, costs, nutrient cycling etc. Interested students should have completed a Master’s degree and have a strong background in the fields of applied forestry, agroforestry or agriculture, and an interest in working as part of a larger team and conducting field based research. Contact Dr. Volk (tavolk@esf.edu, https://www.esf.edu/faculty/volk/) for more information. Desired start date August 2021 (fall semester or in the summer of 2021 to start field work).

• Ph.D. in Soil Biogeochemistry and Sustainability (UW-Madison) – Dr. Zac Freedman in the Department of Soil Science at UW-Madison is seeking a Ph.D.- level graduate student to explore the impacts of land management strategy on microbially-mediated carbon and nitrogen cycling dynamics in bio-based product agroecosystems. Competitive applicants will have a strong interest in soil microbiology, sustainability or a related field. Some experience with assessments of soil microbiomes and biogeochemical processes as well as comfort with statistical analyses and bioinformatics using R is preferred. Contact Dr. Freedman (zfreedman@wisc.edu) for more information. Desired start date late Spring 2021.

M.S./M.B.A.

• M.S. in Energy Environments (West Virginia University) – Dr. Shawn Grushecky in the Division of Forestry and Natural Resources is seeking a M.S. – level graduate student to investigate the use of biobased products as BMP additives for stormwater treatment and in artificial wetlands. Contact Dr. Grushecky (sgrushec@wvu.edu) for more information. Desired start date Fall 2023.

• M.S. in Forestry and Natural Resources (West Virginia University) – Dr. Charlene Kelly in the Division of Forestry and Natural Resources is seeking a M.S. – level graduate student to determine the influence of land management on soil health parameters and nitrous oxide emission. Contact Dr. Kelly (ckelly1@mix.wvu.edu) for more information. Desired start date Fall 2023.

• M.S. (or Ph.D.)  in Forest Resources and Economics (Penn State) – Dr. Michael Jacobson in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management is seeking a M.S.- level graduate student to apply environmental economics and policy to bioeconomy strategies in the mid-Atlantic US with a particular focus on biomass supply economics, economic impacts, quantification and valuation of environmental services, and potential associated policies. Undergraduate degree in agriculture, forestry, environmental economics, or similar required. Familiarity with input-output economic models (e.g. IMPLAN) or environmental process models (e.g. Soil and Water Analysis Tool) applicable to biomass production a plus. Contact Dr. Jacobson (mgj2@psu.edu) for more information. Desired start date Fall 2021.

• M.B.A students (West Virginia University and Penn State University) – M.B.A. students are sought to conduct market studies and develop business plans of regional biomass for value-added products.  For more information contact Dr. Shawn Grushecky (sgrushec@wvu.edu) or Dr. Evelyn Thomchick (ethomchick@psu.edu).  Desired start date January 2021.