Career Opportunities

The Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources department has the largest collection of forestry and natural resources experts in Indiana. We conduct leading research on all issues facing the natural world. In Indiana, you will find us working between the agricultural fields where our valued forests, wildlife, and aquatic ecosystems can be found.

Our primary mission is to educate the next generation of natural resources managers. Research conducted in our department helps ensure that natural resources regulations and policy are informed by the best available science. And our Extension programming helps provide the public with the latest information about Indiana’s amazing natural resources.

The work done by our faculty, staff, students, alumni and industry partners supports:

• The emerging field of digital natural resources where remote sensing, big data, and artificial intelligence are all coming together to create major advancements in the way natural resources are monitored and managed
• The state’s $10 billion dollar per year hardwood products sector
• Research on the Great Lakes ecosystem that contributes $5 trillion to the regional economy
• The thousands of Hoosiers who participate in sustainable hunting, fishing, and wildlife watching by producing the latest wildlife management research and techniques

Purdue FNR Career Profiles

Aquatic Sciences

Aquatic Ecosystem Managers protect and manage aquatic ecosystems such as streams, rivers, lakes, and wetlands to protect fish and wildlife, as well as water quality, by monitoring and managing pollution, diseases, invasive organisms, erosion, and other factors that threaten aquatic ecosystems.

Environmental Technicians conduct tests and field investigations to obtain air, water and soil samples, and other data used to help clean up, monitor, control or prevent pollution.

Fisheries Biologists protect and manage wild fish populations in lakes, rivers, and streams to provide sustainable fishing. They also raise young fish in hatcheries for release into lakes and streams, and protect fish from diseases, invasive organisms, and other threats.

Outdoor Recreation Managers develop and implement programs that engage visitors and community partners in outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, hiking, bike riding, boating, canoeing, and kayaking to explore and discover forests and other natural areas.

Forestry

Foresters survey and assess the health and growth of woodlands and develop conservation, management and rehabilitation strategies, while protecting forest ecosystems and the benefits produced by forests, and addressing problems such as soil erosion, invasive species, and pests that threaten forest health.

Forest Fire Fighters prevent and suppress wildfires in forests to protect people, houses, wildlife, and the environment. Forest Fire Managers use low-intensity prescribed fires to improve forest health, reduce wildfire danger, improve wildlife habitat, reduced invasive plants and insects, and improve ecosystem health.

Forest researchers are scientists that seek new understanding about how forest ecosystems work and to develop better approaches for managing forests. They design experiments, and collect and analyze data, to answer important questions about sustaining forests.

Forest Products Manufacturers design and manage facilities that use logs, lumber, and veneer to produce a wide variety of wood products such as furniture, cabinets, flooring, paper, and building materials.

Also known as an interpretative naturalists or extension specialists, natural resources educators design, plan, and deliver educational programs to the public about plants, animals, and natural areas.

Tree Care Specialists or Professional Arborists manage individual trees in urban and suburban communities by performing hazard inspections, tree pruning and planting, removing dead or dying trees, and working with individual landowners to promote safe and healthy trees.

Urban Foresters manage and protect forests in public parks as well as street trees in urban and suburban areas. They oversee the planting of new trees and protect the health of trees from diseases and insect pests.

Wood Products Designers use knowledge of wood, technology, tools, and design principles to create a wide variety of wood products from furniture to interior designs to framing systems for buildings.

Wildlife

Wildlife Managers protect and manage wildlife populations and habitats to produce benefits for wildlife and the general public using wildlife science.