A great opportunity to apply macroecology and biogeography theory and
methods to the study of human cultural diversity:
Announcing the Availability of
Postdoctoral and PhD Positions on the
Geography and Evolution of Natural Resource Management Systems
Postdoctoral and PhD positions available to join an interdisciplinary team
on a recently awarded project to examine the geography and evolution of
natural resource management systems.
The degree to which society can use and manage resources sustainably is a
primary determinant of current and future well-being. However, human
societies vary widely in the approaches used to manage natural resources.
The funded project seeks to address long-standing debates in multiple
academic disciplines (e.g., anthropology, geography, economics, and human
behavioral ecology) regarding what factors shape the subsistence and land
tenure systems used by societies across the globe, and to examine the
evolutionary pathways of these natural resource management systems. The
senior project personnel have, in recent years, adapted methods originally
developed in biogeography and evolutionary biology to explore the factors
that drive the evolution and geographic patterns of cultural diversity. In
addition, the research group has developed a database that maps cultural
features onto language family trees for over 1400 societies, and links these
to ecological and environmental variables, empowering new lines of
investigation into drivers of cultural change. The team is now uniquely
positioned to conduct the first, integrated empirical tests of theories
regarding the geography and evolution of natural resource management.
Successful candidates will be based at Colorado State University and
collaborate with an interdisciplinary team of researchers from the U.S.,
Australia, Canada, Germany and the United Kingdom.
FIELD OF WORK:
Postdoc: The Postdoctoral research fellow position is expected to begin in
August/September of 2015 (exact date negotiable). The successful candidate
will: assist in directing the project, help guide work of the PhD student
and undergraduate assistants, lead 1-2 subprojects on the use of
phylogenetic analyses to examine the evolution of land tenure and/or
subsistence, and have the opportunity to help shape future research directions.
PhD student: The PhD position is available starting in August 2015 or
January 2016 (depending on availability of selected candidate). The student
will play a role in designing, implementing, completing and writing up
analyses, and also complete project-related research and coordination tasks.
The PhD candidate must also apply for and be accepted to the PhD program in
Human Dimensions of Natural Resources at Colorado State University.
OUR OFFER:
Postdoc: The postdoctoral fellow will receive a salary commensurate with
research experience, mentoring by senior research personnel from multiple
fields and institutions, office space and computer facilities, and costs for
research expenses and related travel will be covered by the project.
PhD student: The PhD student will receive full graduate tuition waiver and a
monthly stipend, valuable research experience as part of the education
received in the doctoral program at CSU, office space and computer
facilities, and costs for research expenses and related travel will be
covered by the project.
Positions will be reviewed annually and, contingent upon performance and
available funds, be appointed to additional years. Three years of potential
funding is expected to be available.
YOUR QUALIFICATIONS:
Selection will be made on a competitive basis using the following criteria:
Postdoctoral fellow:
•A strong academic background with demonstrated experience using
computationally intensive phylogenetic methods (e.g. to examine
co-evolution, evolutionary trajectories, ancestral states, etc).
•Preference will be given to candidates with experience working on evolution
of cultural diversity, however candidates with strong analytical skills
whose prior focus has been with other taxa are also encouraged to apply.
•Preference will also be given to candidates with the proven communication
and collaboration skills needed to work as part of interdisciplinary
research teams.
PhD student:
•A strong academic background in cultural evolution, geography,
anthropology, ecology, evolutionary biology or allied disciplines
•Knowledge of research methods and statistical analyses used to examine
spatial patterns of diversity and/or evolution (e.g., spatial models, GLM,
and/or phylogenetic methods)
•Interest in studying in a program that emphasizes the application of social
science theory to environmental issues and conservation.
YOUR APPLICATION:
By July 31, 2015, please submit a letter of interest detailing how you meet
each of the qualifications, curriculum vitae (indicating previous academic
performance indicators, publication history, and prior research experience),
and contact information for three references to:
Michael Gavin
Colorado State University
E-mail: [email protected]
Additional information:
http://www.michaelcgavin.com/perspective-studentspostdocs.html
Colorado State University is a Carnegie Research 1 (research extensive)
university that is consistently ranked as one of the nation’s top
universities in a variety of categories and disciplines – from teaching and
learning to research and student achievement. Colorado State University is
an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and complies with all
Federal and Colorado state laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding
affirmative action requirements. In order to assist Colorado State
University in meeting its affirmative action responsibilities, ethnic
minorities, women, and other protected class members are encouraged to apply
and to so identify themselves
