Auburn University Graduate Research Scholarships For Masters and PhD Students

Join the research team at Auburn University to investigate these questions and develop practical guidance for forest managers and landowners.

The College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment plans to recruit either M.S. or PhD students for its projects in Forest Biotechnology and Disease Diagnostics and in Pine Genetics and Forest Resilience.

Graduate Research Assistantship in Forest Biotechnology and Disease Diagnostics

The project will focus on brown spot needle blight of pine, caused by Lecanosticta acicola, with a central emphasis on engineering practical biotechnology tools for early disease detection and forest-health monitoring. 

The student will have opportunities to design, develop, and validate molecular diagnostic technologies for detecting the pathogen and assessing disease risk.

Graduate Research Opportunities in Pine Genetics and Forest Resilience

• Project 1: Pine genetics and forest management
  Use public genomic and trait datasets to investigate differences in loblolly pine growth, stem form, and wood properties.

• Project 2: Pine establishment on lands affected by salinity

Test whether loblolly and slash pine genetic material and beneficial ectomycorrhizal fungi, which form partnerships with tree roots, improve establishment in salty soils. 

To be considered for the Auburn State University Scholarship, you must meet the following criteria:

Minimum Qualifications: Ideal candidates will have the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in biotechnology, molecular biology, genetics/genomics, microbiology, bioengineering, biological engineering, plant pathology, forestry, forest biology, bioinformatics, or a related field.

• Strong academic preparation, curiosity, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively are important.

• Previous experience in molecular biology, PCR/qPCR, genomics, bioinformatics, biosensors, plant pathology, or related research is desirable but not required. 

Desired qualifications: 

• Experience with R or Python, quantitative genetics, forest modeling, plant physiology, soil science, microbiology, or greenhouse and field research is welcome.

• Curiosity, strong communication skills, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively.

• Prior research experience is particularly valuable for Ph.D. applicants.

• Strong academic preparation, curiosity, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively are important.

• Previous experience in molecular biology, PCR/qPCR, genomics, bioinformatics, biosensors, plant pathology, or related research is desirable but not required. 

The Auburn University Scholarship covers;

• Full tuition fees

• $25,000/$27,000 annual living stipend for Masters and PhD candidates respectively.

The student will also participate in the collaborative atmosphere of the Auburn University Native Bee Lab through outreach activities, guest lectures, extension programming, and interdisciplinary research projects.

Opportunities for collaboration are extensive within Auburn University's Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, the College of Agriculture, and with state and federal agencies, including the Alabama Department of Transportation.

To apply for the Auburn University Scholarship, interested and qualified candidates should;

• 1

  Click the button below to proceed to the scholarship webpage.

For Graduate Research Opportunities in Pine Genetics and Forest Resilience

• 2

  Email a single PDF containing your CV, a one-page statement of research interests and career goals, unofficial transcripts, and contact information for three references.

• 3

  State your preferred degree and research project. Send materials to Dr. Hao Chen (hzc0134@auburn.edu) and copy Dr. Chris Anderson and Dr. Ajay Sharma. Use the subject line “Auburn Pine Research Application — Your Name.”

• 4

  Dr. Hao Chen: hzc0134@auburn.edu
   Dr. Chris Anderson: andercj@auburn.edu
   Dr. Ajay Sharma: azs0365@auburn.edu

Graduate Research Assistantship in Forest Biotechnology and Disease Diagnostics

• 5

  Please send the following materials to Hao Chen (hzc0134@auburn.edu): 

  • CV or résumé

• 6

  Unofficial academic transcripts

• 7

  Brief statement describing research interests and career goals

• 8

  Contact information for three references.

Please indicate whether you are interested in the M.S. or Ph.D. program.