Job Title: Graduate Research Assistantship in Climate Adaptation

Organization: University of Wyoming

Location: Laramie, WY and statewide travel 

Overview: Dr. Corrine Noel Knapp is recruiting a MS student to join her climate adaptation group at the University of Wyoming. This student will work on a NOAA-funded Regional Integrated Science and Assessment (RISA) Center grant with Western Water Assessment (WWA) partners. This network of RISA centers provides applied and relevant science to stakeholders to help them respond and adapt to a changing climate. While WWA has worked in the region for decades, they have made limited inroads in Wyoming.

Duties: This position will build upon prior work on the experience of compound hazards in Wyoming. In an interested community, we will look at the current social network to respond to compound hazards related to fire, flooding and/or economic transitions. The student will conduct a social network assessment to understand the current structure of response networks and then host a community workshop to help understand and expand the network for more effective response. The student will be expected to design and conduct the research, analyze the data, present it back to the community in a relevant manner, and publish the research results in a peer reviewed paper.

Ideal candidates for this position will possess outstanding written and oral communication skills, have experience collaborating and/or working as part of a team, and have experience conducting social science field research. Candidates should have an interest in climate change adaptation and working with diverse stakeholder groups. Preferably candidates would have experience with social science methods and interview methodologies. Candidates should have a strong interest in social science research methods, show creative and flexible thinking, and be self-motivated and able to work independently with guidance and support from project collaborators.

The candidate selected will pursue their degree in Environment, Natural Resources & Society within the Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources. The position is the equivalent of 20 hours/week and will cover 9 credits of tuition during the fall/spring (no summer tuition) and student health insurance. Currently, the position has three semesters of guaranteed funding. Currently working to cover the fourth semester, but this funding is not currently in place.

Qualifications: Preference will be given to applicants with interest OR experience in interdisciplinary and collaborative problem solving; climate change adaptation and/or working in rural communities. Applicants will be considered who have a BA or BS in any field, with preference given to social science or interdisciplinary fields.

Salary/pay: $16,500/year + tuition + health insurance (3 semesters guaranteed)

Application Deadline: February 15, 2022 at 5 p.m. MST. 

How to apply: Please send the following materials as one PDF document to Dr. Corrine Knapp at cknapp4@uwyo.edu with the subject Your Name_WWA2 MS Position”. This packet should include:

(1) Cover letter/narrative that explains your desire to pursue graduate education, your research interests, career goals, and highlights relevant experience;

(2) Resume or CV including degree(s) earned, GPA, and contact information for at least three references; and (3) Unofficial copy of transcript.