The MS Graduate Research Assistantship in Forestry 2026 at Southern Illinois University (SIU) supports graduate students who want to pursue a Master of Science in Forestry with full academic training and field-based research experience. The assistantship funds students through a combination of stipend support and tuition waiver, allowing them to focus on ecological research, forest management, and wildlife conservation projects in the United States.
About the MS Graduate Research Assistantship
Southern Illinois University offers this MS Graduate Research Assistantship in Forestry through the School of Forestry and Horticulture. The program supports two master ’s-level research positions starting in Summer or Fall 2026.
The assistantship involves two research themes:
- Effects of forest management practices on nightjar bird species (eastern whip-poor-will and chuck-will’s-widow)
- Forest stand dynamics in bottomland plantations affected by ash tree loss and invasive species expansion
Students work closely with faculty advisors and conduct field-based ecological research in southern Illinois ecosystems, including forests, wetlands, and wildlife habitats.
Why Choose The MS Graduate Research Assistantship?
This assistantship allows students to gain hands-on experience in forestry, wildlife ecology, and spatial analysis while studying in one of the most field-rich environments in the United States.
At Southern Illinois University, students benefit from:
- Direct exposure to forest ecosystems and wildlife fieldwork
- Training in R programming, GIS, and spatial ecology tools
- Collaboration with ecological researchers and forestry experts
- Experience in managing real-world conservation challenges
- Access to extensive forest research sites and national forest lands
The program prepares students for careers in forestry, conservation science, ecological research, and environmental management.
MS Graduate Research Assistantship Summary
- Host Country: United States
- Host University: Southern Illinois University (SIU)
- Program Name: MS Graduate Research Assistantship in Forestry
- Study Level: Master’s (MS in Forestry)
- Funding: ~$22,000 per year stipend + tuition waiver
- Start Date: May or August 2026
- Application Deadline: 16 April 2026
- Location: Carbondale, Illinois, USA
- Eligible Applicants: Bachelor’s degree holders in forestry, ecology, biology, wildlife science, or related fields
Scholarship Benefits
The SIU MS Forestry Assistantship provides:
- Annual stipend (~$22,000)
- Full or partial tuition waiver
- Paid research assistantship position
- Fieldwork experience in diverse forest ecosystems
- Training in GIS, R programming, and ecological data analysis
- Opportunity to co-author scientific publications
- Professional development in forestry and wildlife ecology
The program also supports students with independent thesis research under faculty supervision.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for this assistantship, applicants must:
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree in forestry, wildlife ecology, biology, zoology, or related fields
- Demonstrate strong quantitative and analytical skills
- Show experience or interest in the ecological fieldwork and research
- Know R programming and GIS tools (ArcGIS/QGIS preferred)
- Be able to conduct independent fieldwork in challenging environments
- Possess strong communication and teamwork skills (
Required Documents
Applicants must submit:
- Cover letter describing research interests and career goals
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Undergraduate academic transcripts (unofficially accepted)
- Contact information for three academic references
- Optional GRE scores (if available)
All documents must be submitted as a single PDF file via email to the faculty supervisor.
Application Process & Timeline
Follow these steps to apply:
- Prepare a cover letter, CV, transcripts, and references
- Combine all documents into a single PDF file
- Email the application to the listed faculty contact (Dr. Eric Holzmueller)
- Ensure your research interests align with forestry and wildlife ecology
- Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis
- Submit before 15 April 2026 for full consideration
- Selected students begin studies in May or August 2026
