Seeking a PhD student in systems integration (China)

PhD assistantship in GIScience and Systems Modeling

A doctoral 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). This PhD student assistantship position 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 is expected to take a systems approach to examine human-environment-policy interactions over time and space. Specifically, the student will travel to the field site, and will develop, evaluate, and use different statistical or simulation models to understand systems dynamics of the coupled natural and human system at FNNR and its reciprocal relationships with PES programs. The student should function well within a collaborative, interdisciplinary research team, with 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,) and programming experiences (e.g., C++, Java, or python), 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. Interest in social survey is 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 February 1st, 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/ 

 

 

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