(posting for a colleague; direct questions to Dr. Motallebi at [email protected])
Dr. Motallebi and Dr. Baldwin are recruiting for a Ph.D. student who will tackle problems of landscape-scale conservation in urbanizing areas. We are primarily concerned with how to identify priority parcels that serve complementary biodiversity and watershed functions. We have an interest in private lands conservation and compensation mechanisms. The most important part of this study is focusing on Ecosystem Services Valuation. In this study we are seeking for value of different ecosystem services from each prioritized parcel in the Cowasee Basin. Study area will be the SE United States can focus on the forested wetland and biodiversity-rich regions near the confluence of the Congaree and Wateree Rivers, a rapidly growing area yet still well represented by upland forests adjacent to rich bottomland systems. The student will serve as Research Assistant for three years of this project. Project collaborators will include Dr. Paul Leonard (USFWS - conservation planning) and key players from private industry and conservation NGOs. Student will be in Forestry Science Graduate program, in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation. Applicants should have a robust background in natural resource economics (specifically non-market valuation), mathematical programming, applied statistic, ecology, conservation biology, or related disciplines. They need to take advanced GIS courses. MS is required for Ph.D. applicants. We expect academic excellence, however it is expressed in your record. Experience in the field - conservation planning, NGOs, research - is a major plus. Our advising style is one-on-one interaction. We enjoy regular updates, online problem solving, and in-person discussion. We ask a lot of questions. We see the graduate process as your professional journey to become a scholar, with your advisor and collaborators guides along the way. We want you to be literate well beyond your subfield, and so you will do a lot of reading. We will encourage you to seek advice wherever your questions lead. We will deeply engage with you in critical thinking about your project. Given the above, we are looking for an independent, organized, self-motivated individual who is curious and driven to find answers. Send your resume, transcripts (unofficial is accepted), and names and contact information for three references to Dr. Motallebi at ([email protected]). After an initial screening and interview, we will discuss the Clemson University Graduate School admissions process. Compensation will be in the mid-20s, plus tuition, research, and travel support. Start date can be as early as Aug 1st 2017. Fall start date would be August 15, 2017. You should be prepared to submit a complete Clemson Graduate School application. Clemson University is a US Land Grant University, ranked nationally as a top-25 public university. Clemson is situated in the Piedmont of South Carolina, and offers easy access to many outdoor recreational opportunities. Clemson University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, veteran’s status, genetic information or protected activity (e.g., opposition to prohibited discrimination or participation in any complaint process, etc.) in employment, educational programs and activities, admissions and financial aid. This includes a prohibition against sexual harassment and sexual violence as mandated by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.
