POSITION TITLE: masters position

Hiring Organization/Employer:  Purdue Univeristy/Couture Lab
Application Deadline:  12/15/2026
Education Required:  B.S. degree in Forestry, Natural Resources, Ecology, Plant Biology, Entomology, Environmental Science, Plant Pathology or a related discipline. 
Location:  West Lafayette, IN 

Description:  

 The Couture lab (couturelabpurdue.weebly.com) at Purdue University invite applications for a M.S. position focused on understanding how forest trees balance resource allocation among growth, drought tolerance, and pathogen resistance. The successful student will investigate the physiological and ecological tradeoffs that influence tree performance under environmental stress, focusing on black walnut (Juglans nigra). This research addresses fundamental challenges in tree improvement and forest management: 1) identifying if investments in growth come at the expense of drought tolerance or disease resistance and 2) determining if phenotypes reliably predict family-level genetic variation.

Compensation & Benefits:  

 To be discussed. 

Responsibilities:  

The position provides training in forest ecophysiology, plant-pathogen interactions, statistical analysis, and tree improvement. The student will work closely with researchers from Purdue University, the USDA Forest Service, and the Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center (HTIRC), while gaining experience in experimental design, field ecology, analytical laboratory techniques, scientific writing, and presentation of research results.

Preferred Qualifications:  

Minimum Qualifications
B.S. degree in Forestry, Natural Resources, Ecology, Plant Biology, Entomology, Environmental Science, Plant Pathology, or a related discipline.
Strong interest in forest ecology, plant physiology, or tree improvement.
Demonstrated quantitative and analytical skills.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in field and laboratory settings.

Preferred Qualifications
Experience with plant/tree physiology, forestry, or ecological field research.
Familiarity with statistical analyses.
Interest in climate adaptation, forest health, or restoration ecology.
Interest in pursuing a career in forest ecology, conservation, tree improvement, or natural resource management.

How to Apply:  

 Dr. John Couture couture@purdue.edu