Job Title: Graduate Research Assistantship

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. She is seeking an indigenous applicant, preferably from the Wind River Indian Reservation. It is important that this student address a relevant, current, and useful topic to indigenous communities, and therefore the topic of the fellowship will be determined in conversation with the applicant. Given the mentor’s expertise, she can best mentor a project at the intersection of natural and human communities that will utilize qualitative social science methods. She is excited to mentor a project focused on Traditional Ecological Knowledge, climate change, adaptation and/or environmental education, but is open to a range of projects. The student, with help from his/her advisor, 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.

Duties: One potential project (if there is interest and utility) would be looking at experience of extreme weather and climate related impacts (flooding, fire, drought, etc..) on the Wind River Reservation. If the student took this route, there would be the opportunity to leverage 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.

Ideal candidates for this position will be interested in conducting a useful and relevant project for their community, possess good written and oral communication skills, and have experience collaborating and/or working as part of a team. Preferably candidates would have experience with social science methods and interview methodologies. Candidates should show creative and flexible thinking, 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.

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 and indigenous communities. Applicants will be considered who have a BA or BS in any field, with preference given to social science or interdisciplinary fields.

Funding: The University of Wyoming Underrepresented Domestic Minority mentoring Graduate Assistantships (URDM) are intended to increase access and opportunities to graduate education for U.S. students from under-represented/ under-served communities and to increase student diversity in our graduate degree programs on a competitive basis. The URDM awards are funded through a partnership of the Office of Graduate Education and the faculty mentor(s) of the prospective student. The University of Wyoming is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law and University policy. Please click here to view more information.

Salary/pay: $16,500/year stipend + tuition ($6,859) + health insurance ($2,482) =Total Package: $25,841/year

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_WRIR 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;

(3) Unofficial copy of transcripts; and

(4) An example manuscript or report you have written (if available).