Dear ECOLOG-L subscribers,

_A doctoral graduate_ student is sought to join an interdisciplinary, multi-institutional project "CNH: Sustainability of Payments for Ecosystem Services in Coupled Natural and Human Systems", which is newly funded by NSF (PI: Dr. Li An; http://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward.do?AwardNumber=1212183&WT.z_pims_id=13681). This PhD student assistantship position aims to integrate GIScience, landscape ecology, and human socioeconomics for studying the dynamic interactions between Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) and the associated Coupled Natural and Human (CNH) system at Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve (FNNR), China for the endangered Guizhou golden monkey. The student is expected to take a systems approach to examine human-environment-policy interactions over time and space. Specifically, the student will travel to the field site, and will develop, evaluate, and use different statistical or simulation models to understand systems dynamics of the coupled natural and human system at FNNR and its reciprocal relationships with PES programs. The student should function well within a collaborative, interdisciplinary research team, with a willingness to consider and evaluate a range of methodological approaches.

Applicants should have strong interests in GIScience (geographic information systems and/or remote sensing), landscape ecology, computer modeling, and forest/wildlife ecology. Strong quantitative skills (e.g., computer modeling, statistics,) and programming experiences (e.g., C++, Java, or python), excellent interpersonal skills and writing capacity, and willingness to work in a range of international and interdisciplinary contexts (e.g., work on variable terrain in rural areas, or with people of varying background or culture) are desirable. Interest in social survey is desirable. Salary and benefits are competitive. The ideal starting date will be the 2013 fall semester (specifics negotiable).

We also seek _an M.S. student_ in any one or combination of the following areas under the same NSF project: (1) golden monkey habitat analysis and modeling (using camera trapping data); (2) remote sensing of land cover and habitat change; (3) How PES affects the reciprocal relationships among human demography, livelihood, and the environment; and (4) participatory mapping of local people's resource extraction activities and the associated underlying mechanisms.

Applicants should visit the SDSU Geography departmental website http://geography.sdsu.edu/Programs/phd.html (for the PhD position), or http://geography.sdsu.edu/Programs/masters.html (for the MS position) and follow the instructions there. In addition to following the Department's application procedure, interested individuals for either the PhD or M.S. position shall email the following materials to Dr. An: (1) statement of professional goals, (2) resume (including contact information of at least three references), (3) transcripts, and (4) GRE scores (TOEFL scores for applicants whose native language is not English). Scanned copies or photocopies of transcripts and GRE/TOEFL scores are acceptable initially. Contact information:

Dr. L. An

Department of Geography

San Diego State University

San Diego, CA 92182-4493

Email: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>

Web: http://complexity.sdsu.edu/

When contacting me, please put "Response to PhD Assistantship in GIScience and Systems Modeling" or "Response to MS Assistantship in NSF project" as your email subject to facilitate timely consideration of your inquiry or application (more information is available at http://complexity.sdsu.edu/Positions/Positions.htm).


Best regards,


Li

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Li An, PhD
Associate Professor
Department of Geography
San Diego State University
http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/~lian/   (Personal website)
http://complexity.sdsu.edu/   (Group Website)

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