Seeking a M.S. student

M.S. student assistantship in GIScience and Systems Modeling

An M.S. student is sought to join an interdisciplinary, multi-institutional project “CNH: Sustainability of Payments for Ecosystem Services in Coupled Natural and Human Systems”, which is newly funded by NSF (PI: Dr. Li An). The project aims to integrate GIScience, landscape ecology, and human socioeconomics for studying the dynamic interactions between Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) and the associated Coupled Natural and Human (CNH) system at Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve (FNNR), China for the endangered Guizhou golden monkey. The student will work in any one or combination of the following areas: (1) golden monkey habitat analysis and modeling (using camera trapping data); (2) remote sensing of land cover and habitat change; (3) How PES affects the reciprocal relationships among human demography, livelihood, and the environment; and (4) participatory mapping of local people’s resource extraction activities and the associated underlying mechanisms. The student should function well within a collaborative, interdisciplinary research team, and have a willingness to consider and evaluate a range of methodological approaches.

Applicants should have strong interests in GIScience (geographic information systems and/or remote sensing), landscape ecology, computer modeling, and forest/wildlife ecology. Strong quantitative skills (e.g., computer modeling, statistics), programming and data analysis experience, excellent interpersonal skills and writing capacity, and willingness to work in a range of international and interdisciplinary contexts (e.g., work on variable terrain in rural areas, or with people of varying background or culture) are desirable. Salary and benefits are competitive. The ideal starting date will be the 2013 fall semester (specifics negotiable). The application materials must be received by January 10th, 2014 (University on-line application by December 15th, 2013).

Applicants should visit the SDSU Geography departmental website and follow the instructions there. In addition to following the Department’s application procedure, interested individuals shall email the following materials to Dr. An: (1) statement of professional goals, (2) resume (including contact information of at least three references), (3) transcripts, and (4) GRE scores (TOEFL scores for applicants whose native language is not English). Scanned copies or photocopies of transcripts and GRE/TOEFL scores are acceptable initially. Contact information:

Dr. L. An
Department of Geography
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA 92182-4493
Email: lan@mail.sdsu.edu
Web:  http://complexity.sdsu.edu/ 

When contacting me, please put “Response to MS Assistantship in NSF project” as your email subject to facilitate timely consideration of your inquiry or application.

 

 

 

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