Graduate Opportunity: Ph.D. Assistantship in Land Change Science and Geospatial Analytics

Southeast CSC USGS Research Ecologist Adam Terando and NC State Faculty Affiliate Ross Meentemeyer are seeking a creative, motivated Ph.D. student with quantitative modeling interests to join an interdisciplinary team investigating the dynamics of urbanization and landscape change in the Southeast US. The position will begin Fall 2018 and is funded for four years at $25,000/year, plus benefits and tuition support, through the cutting-edge Geospatial Analytics Ph.D. program at NC State (geospatial.ncsu.edu).
In cooperation with the USGS, the selected applicant will collaborate with a diverse research group focused on the human dimensions of global change, conservation ecology, and decision science with geospatial analytics. The student will contribute to development and application of FUTURES, an open source land-change modeling framework for scenario-based simulations of landscape change. The student will be encouraged to develop research questions and a project tailored to their unique interests and career goals. Competitive candidates will be proficient in python, C++ or equivalent programming language. Applicants should hold a degree in Geography, Ecology, Economics, Statistics, Computer Science, or a relevant discipline.
The Center for Geospatial Analytics is an internationally recognized collaborative hub for interdisciplinary data scientists advancing novel understanding of spatial phenomena and applying new knowledge to grand challenges. Students in the Ph.D. program receive multidisciplinary advising and the opportunity to work with over twenty faculty fellows with diverse expertise from nearly a dozen departments across NC State. Students also engage in experiential learning through an off-campus professional internship.
The Department of Interior Southeast Climate Science Center is a joint federal-university research center managed by the US Geological Survey and anchored at NC State University.  Bringing together a diverse set of federal and academic researchers, the SE CSC is a leader in fostering collaborative global change research for the benefit of natural and cultural resource managers. Students affiliated with the SE CSC also have the opportunity to participate in the Global Change Fellows program.
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. To apply, complete the application at grad.ncsu.edu/apply by February 1, 2018.
To express interest in the position or to learn more, contact Dr. Terando (ajterand@ncsu.edu) or Dr. Meentemeyer (rkmeente@ncsu.edu). Additional details about the Ph.D. program in Geospatial Analytics and complete application instructions are available at go.ncsu.edu/geospatial-phd. Interested students are also encouraged to contact Rachel Kasten, Graduate Services Coordinator (rachelkasten@ncsu.edu or 919-515-2800), with questions about the program or to explore additional opportunities.