USA: PhD Graduate Research Assistantship in the Human Dimensions of Natural Resources

Sep 15, 2021 | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences
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Housed within the College of ACES, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences educational and research programs center on science, applied ecology, and conservation in a variety of aquatic, terrestrial and human dominated ecosystems.

Position:

A funded four-year PhD position is available in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign under the supervision of Dr. McKenzie Johnson. The preferred start date is the January or June 2022, depending on the availability of the successful candidate. The successful candidate will contribute to a broader NSF-funded interdisciplinary research project examining the dynamics of nutrient management in rural agricultural communities in Illinois. The candidate will be expected to provide research assistance as well as conduct their own independent research on concurrent themes. The rate of funding is $24,431.55 for the first year. The salary will be adjusted annually thereafter for inflation.

Research Overview:

Dr. McKenzie Johnson’s lab, The (in)Secure Landscapes (IL) Lab, explores interactions between environment, institutions, human security, and social justice. For the current NSF project, the successful candidate will work on a team composed of an interdisciplinary group of scientists to examine issues related to sustainable agriculture in Illinois. Specifically, the candidate will 1) examine the individual- and structural-level barriers and opportunities farmers face in adopting more sustainable nutrient management practices and 2) work with collaborators to develop technological and community infrastructure that can expand farmer access to nutrient management tools and increase voluntary participation in a Nutrient Management Community. While the candidate will primarily work within the social science component, they will be expected to engage with and work across the different project components (i.e. soil science and remote sensing) to deliver project outcomes. Additionally, the student will be able to generate independent research questions examining the intersection of agriculture/environment, sustainability, and human security.

Eligibility:

  • Applicants must hold a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in the environmental or agricultural social sciences or related field from an approved institution
  • A cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better on a 4.0 scale on all coursework leading to Master’s degree
  • Applicants must satisfy the minimum academic requirements for admission established by the Graduate College at the University of Illinois and the Department of NRES
  • All applicants must meet eligibility requirements to live and study in the United States

The ideal candidate will have:

  • Excellent communication and writing skills in English
  • Previous experience working on sustainable agriculture in rural landscapes
  • Experience in either quantitative or qualitative research methods
  • A demonstrated ability to work as part of a highly interdisciplinary research team
  • Interest in pursuing research related to socio-ecological systems

How to Apply: Please send a 2-page personal statement outlining your research interests and curriculum vitae to McKenzie Johnson at mfj4@illinois.edu. Materials should be received no later than October 5, 2021 if a candidate would like to be considered for admission in the Spring Semester. Otherwise, Dr. Johnson will accept materials until November 10, 2021. While we thank all candidates for applying, only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews. Shortlisted applicants should plan to submit their application materials online here by October 15, 2021 for admission in the Spring Semester and December 15, 2021 for admission in the Summer Semester.

For the full application, you will need:

  • A 2-page personal statement outlining your research interests
  • A current curriculum vitae
  • Scans of official transcripts
  • Three academic references
  • Proof of English proficiency (if applying from a non-English institution)

For full application procedures, admission requirements, and other relevant information, please visit: https://nres.illinois.edu/graduate/apply.

For further inquiries about this position: Please contact Dr. McKenzie Johnson, Assistant Professor of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, mfj4@illinois.edu