TWO GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANTSHIPS IN LAND USE AND GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE
I have two graduate research assistantships for M.Sc. or Ph.D. students in the Department of Geography, McGill University, in Montreal, Canada, starting in Sep 2006. The general area of research will be in understanding the environmental consequences of global land use and land cover change. Land use changes have now attained global significance in terms of extent, intensity, and environmental consequences, as highlighted by a recent review in Science. Understanding the relationship between human activities, land use/cover changes, and the structure and functioning of the Earth system is therefore of vital importance. What is the current extent of anthropogenic modification of our planet? How do land use/cover changes alter water resources, biogeochemical cycles, and climate? What are the feedbacks in the human-environment relationships, and where are the thresholds and surprises? Are humans altering the Earth system in a way that will jeopardize our ability to continue deriving resources in the future? These are the types of question that will be of interest to the student positions. I will start as an assistant professor in Geography at McGill University in June 2006. My research has involved understanding the patterns of global agricultural land use/cover change over the last century and their environmental consequences using data analysis and synthesis, and Earth system models. Go to http://landuse.sage.wisc.edu/~navin/pub/Navin_Ramankutty/ to read more about my research. Candidates across the broad spectrum of global environmental research disciplines may apply, but those with degrees in Environmental Studies, Geography, Ecology, or Atmospheric Sciences with an interest in global environmental change are ideally suited. The ideal candidate will have excellent quantitative and analytical skills, and some prior experience working with environmental data and/or Earth system models. Candidates should have strong communication (spoken & written) and interpersonal skills. Funding is guaranteed for one year, and I foresee obtaining continued funding beyond the first year. Minimum stipend will amount to $16,000 per year. Stipend may be increased to compensate for higher health care and tuition costs of international students. If you are interested, please submit the following by email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]: 1. Cover letter outlining research interests; 2. Curriculum vitae; 3. Copies of latest transcripts (unofficial copies is sufficient for now); 4. Names and contact address of 3 references; 5. Reprints, if available. Please use the following subject line in your email: GRADUATE RA APPLICATION Review of applications will begin upon receipt and continue until the positions are filled. The deadline for Sept 2006 admissions to the Geography department at McGill University is Feb 1, 2006. Therefore, please allow sufficient time to complete the review process. I will guarantee consideration of applications received by Jan 1, 2006. See http://www.geog.mcgill.ca/ for more information about the Geography department, and http: //www.mcgill.ca/ for more information on McGill University. For further inquires, please email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Navin Ramankutty Currently at: Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment Gaylord Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies University of Wisconsin, 1710 University Avenue, Madison, WI, 53726, USA
