Doctoral Research Assistantship in Human Cooperation and Socio-Ecological Systems Dynamics Maines Sustainability Solutions Initiative (SSI) at the University of Maine offers unprecedented opportunities for graduate students to experience a truly interdisciplinary learning experience through a $20 million, 5-year program funded by the National Science Foundations EPSCoR program. The SSIs mission is to create an integrative research program and strong stakeholder partnerships to generate improved solutions to intersecting ecological, social, and economic challenges in and beyond Maine. For more information, visit www.umaine.edu/sustainabilitysolutions.
The SSI assistantship in human cooperation and socio-ecological systems dynamics is designed for students interested in helping develop our quantitative understanding the dynamics of human behavior and culture as it pertains to the environment. The graduate student will work with Dr. Waring (timwaring.wordpress.com) to develop new theory and conceptual models of human-environment interaction, and help to empirically test that theory and/or develop and explore precise models of socio-ecological systems. Some potential avenues of research in this project are: 1) testing current socio-ecological systems theory using freshly collected empirical data or extant datasets, 2) developing mathematical and/or computer models of coupled human-natural systems, exploring their implications and requirements, and ultimately testing their predictions, and 3) using experimental research on human cooperation within socio-ecological systems using cooperative games methods. Each focus area is described below: 1) The graduate student will work to synthesize current socio-ecological systems theory from the primary literature, gather data to test critical aspects of socio-ecological systems theory such through some combination of behavioral experiments (see area 3, below), surveys, ecological field work or by finding extant datasets. 2) The graduate student will work with Dr. Waring and other faculty to develop innovative mathematical or computer models of socio-ecological systems, explore different formulations of the model system, and test its properties with mathematical stability analysis or sensitivity analysis, or related means. 3) The graduate student will survey the available experimental methods for measuring ecologically-relevant aspects of human behavior, especially cooperation, help devise suitable behavioral experiment(s) to test current socio-ecological systems theory, and develop those experiments for implementation on the mobile online data collection system. Qualifications: A degree (preference given to individuals with an MS) in ecology or environmental science, environmental and resource economics, ecological anthropology, social psychology or a related field; excellent GPA and GRE scores; strong quantitative and computational skills; demonstrated independence, and the ability to work respectfully and collaboratively in teams. Support includes a fellowship of $22-25,000/yr for four years, a tuition waiver, subsidy for health insurance, and funds for field research. Application Procedures: Please submit the following information to [email protected] with subject line SSI Socio-Ecological Systems Dynamics Assistantship: 1. A letter detailing your interest in this position specifically and the goals of the SSI in general, 2. A CV or resume, 3. Scanned GRE scores and transcripts, 4. Names, phone numbers, and email addresses of three references familiar with your academic and research history. Review of materials will begin in December and continue until the position is filled.
