The Agricultural and Applied Economics Department in collaboration with Hufford and Nippgen Research Labs in the Ecosystem Science and Management Department invite applications for a student seeking to complete a Master of Science degree in agricultural economics with a focus on the economics of land reclamation and ecological restoration. The student will work with a team of researchers on an NSF-funded project to explore reclamation outcomes at sites in Wyoming affected by large surface mining disturbances. The core research program will comprise:
* Evaluating the effects of topographic restructuring on vegetation recruitment, species diversity, soil moisture, surface runoff, sediment export, and erosion. Assessing ecological and hydrologic conditions using on-the-ground fieldwork, UAV-based remote sensing (multispectral and Lidar), and parsimonious hydrologic models. The entire team will participate and assist in this data collection process. * We will model sets of recovery functions taken from field and remote sensing measurements by the ecology and hydrology teams to assess the success of alternative approaches to ecological restoration over a period of years. From these analyses, stochastic cost effectiveness and risk modeling will be assessed. * Finally, we will explore how regulatory frameworks govern reclamation goal setting by agency scientists, Land managers, and reclamation operators and its relation to reclamation science. This will be accomplished using the recovery functions to identify alternative reclamation goals and assess potential risks and changes in priorities. Team members include Dr. Roger Coupal, (Agricultural Economics), Dr. Kristina Hufford (Ecology), and Dr. Fabian Nippgen (Hydrology). The successful applicant will receive a full graduate assistantship, which includes tuition and fees for up to 12 credit hours per semester, health insurance, and a monthly stipend. The student will have opportunities to work with state agency personnel and engineers who regulate and design land reclamation of disturbed lands. The student will be guided and supported by the full team to gain some depth and understand details of data collection from ecological field studies, remote sensing data results, and the modeling frameworks for stochastic cost effectiveness analysis. Research outcomes will predict how well different reclamation methods meet regulatory requirements and assess associated risks. Preferred applicants should have a B.S. in a natural resource science or economics with an associated academic background in natural resource or biological sciences, or related work experience. Qualifications include a keen interest in environmental economics and reclamation, and ecological restoration practices. Familiarity or experience (at bachelor's level) in natural resource management and use of ecological or remote sensing information is also of interest . Quantitative skills will be taught but some background in analytical economic and statistical data analysis skills will be preferred. In addition to the MS degree, students will have the option of earning a graduate certificate in reclamation science, and experience in UAV flight planning. TO APPLY: Interested students can reach out with questions by contacting Dr. Roger Coupal, cou...@uwyo.edu<mailto:cou...@uwyo.edu> , or any of the team members for specifics. More information about UW Graduate Programs and the online application process is at https://www.uwyo.edu/admissions/apply.html . To apply, please send the following information to Dr. Coupal: (1) a one-page statement describing your interest in the project and relevant aspects of your background, (2) a resume or CV, and (3) the contact information for three references. Formal review of applications will begin February 1, 2024 and continue until the position is filled. The preferred start date is early- to mid-summer 2025, though flexible, with classes beginning Fall 2025. The University of Wyoming is located in Laramie, Wyoming. More can be found at https://www.visitlaramie.org/. The University of Wyoming is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. To unsubscribe from this list please go to https://community.esa.org/confirm/?u=RhPWqPxFwODKvbkiT32nkIqRrsiSgulp