4-Year PhD Assistantship – Human Dimensions of Conservation on Private Lands
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Elizabeth Pienaar, Assistant Professor – Environmental Economics & Human Dimensions of Wildlife Location: Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, School of Natural Resources and Environment, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida Description I am recruiting a PhD student to conduct Human Dimensions research on private landowners’ willingness to conserve biodiversity and ecosystem services on their properties in the southeastern United States. The student will conduct research into: 1. how private landowners value biodiversity and ecosystem services on their lands, and 2. the design of policies and programs to encourage private landowners to engage in private lands conservation. This research will be used to formulate policy recommendations for government agencies and to design extension/outreach programs to educate private landowners on how to better manage their lands to conserve biodiversity and ecosystem services. The student will be expected to: 1. design and administer surveys to private landowners; 2. code, clean and analyze all data collected; 3. write reports and journal publications that document these research findings; 4. present results at both academic conferences and extension meetings; 5. assist in writing grant reports; 6. generate extension and outreach materials for private landowners and government agencies; and 7. assist in other tasks related to this research – as needed. As part of this appointment, the successful candidate will work as a teaching assistant for one semester each year. The assistantship will commence in Fall 2017. The successful candidate will be provided with four years of tuition (18 credit hours of coursework in Fall and Spring semesters). The successful applicant will be paid a stipend of $20,024/year for 4 years, and will be provided with health care. The student will work as part of a larger research team that includes landscape ecologists, extension specialists, and experts in GIS models and mapping. This research project provides an opportunity to be part of an interdisciplinary research team at the University of Florida. Qualifications: Preference will be given to applicants with a Master’s degree, although students with a Bachelor’s degree will be considered. Preference will be given to applicants with training in social sciences, survey design and statistics. In order to be considered for this position, the following application materials must be submitted to Dr. Pienaar (efpien...@ufl.edu): 1. A letter of interest (1 page maximum) 2. Undergraduate and graduate transcripts 3. GRE scores 4. A curriculum vitae 5. An example of your writing 6. Names of 3 individuals who will provide you with references Applications will be considered as they are received. The final date for application is June 23, 2017.
