Description
Research Project
“Loggers’ Perspectives on Challenges and Opportunities in the Forest Products Industry in Alabama”
Position
Auburn University is seeking a graduate student interested in the social dimensions of forestry and forest products for a two-year, thesis-based M.S. in Rural Sociology.
The Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) will conduct research examining the experiences and perspectives of professional loggers in Alabama. The student’s master’s thesis will draw primarily on original semi-structured interviews with logging professionals and will examine the challenges and opportunities facing workers and businesses in Alabama’s forest products industry.
This position is particularly well suited to students with a background or interest in forestry, natural resources, forest management, rural communities, or forest products who want to develop expertise in the human and social dimensions of natural resource management.
What You Will Do
The student will receive training and experience in:
- Designing qualitative social science research
- Conducting semi-structured interviews with logging professionals
- Engaging with forestry and forest products industry stakeholders
- Conducting a systematic literature review
- Coding and analyzing qualitative data using MaxQDA
- Writing a master’s thesis and manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals
- Presenting research at professional conferences
- Managing a multi-stage research project
The student will also have the opportunity to contribute to one or more peer-reviewed publications based on the project’s original research.
What You Will Gain
This position provides forestry students with an opportunity to develop expertise that complements technical training in forestry and natural resource management.
Through the M.S. program and research project, the student will develop a deeper understanding of:
- Rural communities and economies
- Social dimensions of forest management
- Forest products industries and rural livelihoods
- Logging and forest-based occupations
- Relationships between natural resource industries and communities
- Stakeholder perspectives and community engagement
- Qualitative research methods
The training is applicable to careers in forestry, natural resource management, government agencies, forest products, consulting, rural development, and academic research.
Graduate Program
The student will pursue a two-year M.S. in Rural Sociology at Auburn University through the Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology while working as a Graduate Research Assistant on the project.
The position offers forestry students the opportunity to complement their forestry or natural-resource background with graduate-level training in rural sociology and qualitative research.
For students interested in pursuing a Ph.D., this position can provide a pathway into further interdisciplinary graduate study at Auburn University, depending on the student’s background.
The M.S. in Rural Sociology is structured to allow substantial flexibility in coursework: four courses are required, with the remainder consisting of electives. Students can use electives to develop additional expertise in forestry, natural resources, or related fields.
Students would need to apply separately for admission to the relevant Ph.D. program. Continued funding would be subject to admission and available research support.
Assistantship Support
- $26,000 annual stipend for a 12-month assistantship
- Tuition waiver (mandatory student fees are not included)
- Health insurance coverage through Auburn University
- Funding for travel to two conferences annually (one regional and one national)
Research funding for students continuing into doctoral study may be available through the research team, subject to admission and funding availability.
Requirements
We are particularly interested in students with:
- A bachelor's degree in forestry, natural resources, environmental science, sociology, or a related field
- An interest in the people and communities connected to forests and natural resource industries
- Strong written and interpersonal communication skills
- An interest in conducting field-based research
- Willingness to travel within Alabama for interviews and stakeholder engagement
Prior experience with qualitative research is not required. Training in qualitative research methods, interviewing, and data analysis will be provided.
Preference for candidates who can start in January 2027.
