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M.S. Graduate Research Assistantship (Fall 2026) (FILLED)
Effects of Soil Contamination on Vegetation Dynamics in the Indiana Dunes
We invite applications for a motivated M.S. student to join the Jo Lab at Purdue University beginning Fall 2026. The student will contribute to a research project investigating how legacy heavy metal contamination influences vegetation dynamics in the Indiana Dunes, one of North America’s most ecologically diverse and environmentally significant coastal landscapes.
This interdisciplinary project integrates field ecology, soil chemistry, and remote sensing to understand how persistent pollutants affect both aboveground and belowground vegetation structure, ecosystem resilience, and soil function along the Indiana Dunes chronosequence. The student will gain hands-on experience in field sampling, LiDAR data analysis, soil analysis, and ecological modeling, working closely with Dr. Lori Hoagland (Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture), the Institute for Digital Forestry, and state and federal partners, including Indiana Dunes National Park and the Indiana DNR.
M.S. Graduate Research Assistantship (Spring 2026) (FILLED)
Modeling tree neighborhood interactions and their effects on hardwood growth and regeneration in Indiana forests
We invite applications for a highly motivated M.S. student to join the Jo Lab at Purdue University beginning Spring 2026. The student will work on a project modeling how spatial relationships among trees influence forest growth, regeneration, and understory plant communities in Indiana’s mixed hardwood forests. Findings will help develop forest management strategies that promote valuable hardwood species and address challenges from competing vegetation.
The position offers hands-on experience in spatial data analysis, ecological modeling, and applied forestry research, with opportunities to collaborate with university researchers, state agencies, and forest managers.
Opportunities for Undergraduates and Prospective Graduate Students
We welcome students interested in pursuing research in forest ecology, plant community dynamics, and the impacts of environmental change on ecosystems. Prospective students should be passionate about ecological research and eager to contribute to understanding the complex interactions shaping terrestrial ecosystems. If you are interested, please send an email to Insu (insujo@purdue.edu), with a CV and a statement of interest.