Dear All, The SPEC Lab has two fully funded PhD positions starting as early as Fall, 2016 for which we are seeking applicants, including both national and international. The positions focus on (1) Tropical Sustainable Development, focusing on ecotourism and reforestation and the other on (2) Tropical Forest Ecology and Conservation. Detailed information on both positions is below. Please share widely. Thank you for your time.
Abrazo, Angélica and Eben ~~ Angélica M. Almeyda Zambrano, Ph.D., Assistant Professor Spatial Ecology and Conservation Lab | speclab.org Department of Tourism, Recreation and Sports Management University of Florida | Gainesville, FL 32611 aalme...@ufl.edu<mailto:aalme...@ufl.edu> | Cell: 650-204-1052 inogo.stanford.edu | inogo.info ~~ Eben N. Broadbent, Ph.D., Assistant Professor Spatial Ecology and Conservation Lab | speclab.org School of Forest Resources and Conservation Forest Ecology and Geomatics | University of Florida 303 Reed Lab | Gainesville, FL 32611 e...@ufl.edu<mailto:e...@ufl.edu> | Cell: 650-204-1051 inogo.stanford.edu | inogo.info Position Calls: 1) Fully funded PhD position in Tropical Sustainable Development, focusing on ecotourism and reforestation - Starting date: Fall, 2016. The Spatial Ecology and Conservation (SPEC) Lab at the University of Florida is seeking applicants for a fully funded 3-year PhD position in tropical sustainable development, focusing on ecotourism, with a geospatial focus, starting Fall, 2016 (although later start dates may be possible if needed). The stipend will be 13,000$ per year (9-month position), with all tuition covered and health insurance provided. We seek a student who will investigate human-environmental interactions, focusing on ecotourism, reforestation, and sustainable development and conservation, in high biodiversity areas, in particular proximate and/or within protected areas, using cutting-edge geospatial approaches, including unmanned aerial systems (UAS), high-resolution satellite imagery, aircraft-borne sensors and/or modelling. The project should include: (a) a holistic multi-disciplinary approach to quantify the socio-economic and environmental dynamics of sustainable development in high-biodiversity regions in the tropics, including both positive and negative impacts and feedbacks, (b) the integration of multiple methods, including household and community questionnaires and surveys, participatory mapping and geospatial analyses, to better understand these dynamics across spatial and temporal scales, with (c) outreach efforts, including workshops, involving local smallholders and communities, to further our understanding of biodiversity conservation, sustainability, and the role of local households and communities in sustainable development and conservation efforts in these regions. Although our current emphasis is on the Neotropics, including Costa Rica, Peru, Bolivia, and/or Brazil, we would consider proposed projects in other study areas if applicants are well experienced in those systems, this would enable unique research/outreach opportunities, and a strong case is made. We are seeking applicants with: (a) experience in fieldwork in challenging high-biodiversity tropical environments, (b) the ability to communicate effectively in their study areas native language, (c) experience in the multiple methods described above or excited and capable of learning new approaches, (d) minimum combined GRE score of 305, TOEFL IBT score of 105 (for international students), and GPA of 3.5, and (e) a master's degree in a related field or equivalent level of academic or professional experience. Minimum expectations for a successful applicant are: (a) submit 1 paper per year to a quality peer-reviewed journal, (b) identify and apply each year to multiple external fellowships and research funding sources, (c) present and participate in international and regional conferences, and (d) that the student will spend all summer semesters conducting PhD relevant field work at their study location; and (e) that academic activities, including research and field work, will be conducted in very close collaboration with the advisor and committee members. The Spatial Ecology and Conservation Lab (www.speclab.org<http://www.speclab.org>) is co-directed by Dr. Angélica M. Almeyda Zambrano, Assistant Professor of Human Environmental Dynamics in the Department of Tourism, Recreation and Sports Management and Dr. Eben N. Broadbent, Assistant Professor of Forest Ecology and Geomatics in the School of Forest Resources and Conservation. The advisor for this position will be Dr. Angélica Almeyda Zambrano with Dr. Broadbent as a close collaborator and committee member. Please contact aalme...@ufl.edu<mailto:aalme...@ufl.edu> cc aalme...@gmail.com<mailto:aalme...@gmail.com> with any questions. To apply, please email Angélica at aalme...@gmail.com<mailto:aalme...@gmail.com> cc: aalme...@ufl.edu<mailto:aalme...@ufl.edu> in PDF format (merged into 1 file preferred) your: CV, unofficial transcripts, GRE scores, TOEFL scores if appropriate, list of references (3-5), and 2-3 page statement of a proposed project, including (a) how it addresses the objectives described above, and (b) how you are qualified to accomplish this work. Relevant writing samples (e.g., pubs or thesis) would be appreciated. Applications submitted prior to June 1st, 2016, will receive full consideration, but we will continue reviewing applications after that point until the position is filled. Some useful background readings are available for download at the link below. This folder will be updated as I identify readings of interest to this position until the position is filled: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/l7gnaec3wh28c08/AAA7D8LFX3rS1uZSl82rJFkka?dl=0 According to Wikipedia, "the Gainesville area was ranked as the #1 place to live in North America in the 2007 edition of Cities Ranked and Rated. Also in 2007, Gainesville was ranked as one of the "best places to live and play" in the United States by National Geographic Adventure." 2) Fully funded PhD position in Tropical Forest Ecology and Conservation - Starting date: Fall, 2016. The Spatial Ecology and Conservation (SPEC) Lab at the University of Florida is seeking applicants for a fully funded 4-year PhD position in tropical forest ecology and conservation, with a strong geospatial focus, starting Fall, 2016 (although later start dates may be possible if needed). The stipend will be 22,000$ per year (12-month position), with all tuition covered. We seek a student who will investigate human-forest-wildlife interactions in high biodiversity areas, in particular proximate or within protected areas, using cutting-edge geospatial approaches, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAS) multi-spectral and LiDAR or high-resolution satellite or aircraft-borne sensors and/or modelling. The project should include: (a) a holistic approach to quantify biodiversity using multiple methods and linkages among wildlife and forest ecology and sustainability, with (b) a socio-economic analyses and outreach efforts, including workshops, involving local smallholders and communities, to further our understanding of biodiversity conservation, sustainability and the role of local communities in conservation efforts in these regions. Although our current emphasis is on the Neotropics, including Costa Rica, Peru, Bolivia, and/or Brazil, we would consider proposed projects in other study areas if applicants are well experienced in those systems, this would enable unique research/outreach opportunities, and a strong case is made. We are seeking applicants with: (a) experience in fieldwork in challenging high-biodiversity tropical environments, (b) the ability to communicate effectively in their study areas native language, (c) experience in the multiple methods described above or excited and capable of learning new approaches, (d) minimum combined GRE score of 305, TOEFL IBT score of 105 (for international students), and GPA of 3.5, and (e) a master's degree in a related field or equivalent level of academic or professional experience. Minimum expectations for a successful applicant are: (a) submit 1 paper per year to a quality peer-reviewed journal, (b) identify and apply each year to multiple external fellowships and research funding sources, (c) present and participate in international and regional conferences, (d) that the student will spend all summer semesters conducting PhD relevant field work at their study location, and (e) that academic activities, including research and field work, will be conducted in very close collaboration with the advisor and committee members. The Spatial Ecology and Conservation (www.speclab.org<http://www.speclab.org>) Lab is co-directed by Dr. Eben Broadbent, Assistant Professor of Forest Ecology and Geomatics in the School of Forest Resources and Conservation and Dr. Angelica Almeyda Zambrano, Assistant Professor of Human Environmental Dynamics in the Department of Tourism, Recreation and Sports Management. The advisor for this position will be Dr. Eben Broadbent with Dr. Almeyda Zambrano as a close collaborator and committee member. Please contact Eben at e...@ufl.edu<mailto:e...@ufl.edu> with any questions. To apply, please email Eben at e...@ufl.edu<mailto:e...@ufl.edu> in PDF format (merged into 1 file preferred) your: CV, unofficial transcripts, GRE scores, TOEFL scores if appropriate, list of references (3-5), and 2-3 page statement of a proposed project, including (a) how it addresses the objectives described above, and (b) how you are qualified to accomplish this work. Relevant writing samples (e.g., pubs or thesis) would be appreciated. Applications submitted prior to June 1st, 2016, will receive full consideration, but we will continue reviewing applications after that point until the position is filled. Some useful background readings are available for download at the link below. This folder will be updated as I identify readings of interest to this position until the position is filled: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/7oxl6eggrn17990/AACksAT2m8SYkcUn5wijf3CHa?dl=0 According to Wikipedia, "the Gainesville area was ranked as the #1 place to live in North America in the 2007 edition of Cities Ranked and Rated. Also in 2007, Gainesville was ranked as one of the "best places to live and play" in the United States by National Geographic Adventure."
