PhD Student/ Research Assistant (EXPIRED)

Graduate Research Assistantship in Sustainability Theory and Modeling at Washington State University

We are seeking a PhD student interested in environmental sustainability and coupled human-natural systems to pursue their graduate education in the School of the Environment at Washington State University. This is an NSF- funded project that includes tuition waivers and a highly competitive stipend. The successful candidate will join a large, interdisciplinary team on a recently funded project researching the Food-Energy-Water (FEW) nexus of the Columbia River Basin (CRB).  A description of the project is available at https://fewstorage.wsu.edu/.  The student will conduct research on transactions and possible conflict across FEW sector boundaries, supplement the research of sector-specific team members, and help develop generic models of FEW system sustainability that are portable beyond the CRB.

We are explicitly hoping to add mathematically capable philosophers or philosophically-minded mathematicians to the candidate pool. Given the interdisciplinary nature of the project and the subject matter, the successful candidate must be (1) highly motivated, (2) able to work within and across several disciplinary boundaries, and (3) be able to work rigorously with theoretical or abstract concepts that cut across multiple disciplines. Further desirable traits include (4) a background in mathematics or perhaps formal modeling and (5) skills in collaborative research and communications. A Masters degree in applied mathematics, philosophy of science/formal epistemology, or related fields is preferred, but not required. Accomplished and exceptionally motivated individuals in relevant fields will also receive full consideration.

The position is scheduled to start in June, 2017, but we will accept inquiries immediately and will consider candidates until the position is filled.  Interested candidates should send a cover letter, transcripts, CV, and contact information for 3 references to both Dr. Steve Katz ([email protected]) and Dr. Michael Goldsby ([email protected]).  Information on graduate Studies at the Washington State University is available at http://cahnrs.wsu.edu/soe/graduatestudies/