M.S. Research Assistantship: Human-caused large wildfires in the US Southwest
We seek a motivated student to pursue an M.S. in the School of Forestry at Northern Arizona University (NAU). The successful applicant will join a team of interdisciplinary researchers from NAU and the Forest Stewards Guild to investigate strategies for reducing human-ignited wildfires in the Southwest. Human-caused ignitions account for the majority of wildfires in Arizona and New Mexico each year. Identifying strategies to reduce large wildfires that begin on public lands has become increasingly important for fire prevention specialists across land management agencies, particularly as visitation continues to grow. The successful applicant will develop and administer a survey to public land users across Arizona and New Mexico, and will have the opportunity to build relationships with fire prevention specialists, land managers, and communities in both states over the course of their degree.
A start date of January or late May 2022 is possible. The student will hold Research Assistantship of 20-hour/week during the academic year and 40h/week during summers. Funding to support this position is available for two years. This position is based at NAU’s Flagstaff campus, but the student will have the opportunity to work with the Forest Stewards Guild in Santa Fe, NM.
Preferred qualifications
An undergraduate degree in natural resources, conservation social science, forestry, sociology, or a related field.
Availability to travel and camp in AZ and NM for up to 8 weeks during the summer of 2022.
Knowledge of, or experience with, social science research methods (e.g., interviews, focus groups, surveys).
Working knowledge of programs and platforms such as SPSS, Qualtrics, and/or ArcMap.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Preference will be given to applicants who can demonstrate their ability to work with both communities and land management agencies, possess excellent organizational skills, and express a strong interest in applied social science research.
How to apply:
Please merge and send the following documents as one PDF to Dr. Catrin Edgeley via email (catrin.edgeley@nau.edu) by the end of the day on Friday, November 5th, 2021:
A short cover letter clearly stating experience, qualifications, and research interests relevant to this position.
A current C.V. or resume
Names and contact information for two references.
Additional materials may be requested later in the process. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Dr. Edgeley at catrin.edgeley@nau.edu
About Northern Arizona University
Northern Arizona University is a 29,000-student institution with its main campus in Flagstaff, AZ at the base of the San Francisco Peaks. Flagstaff is known for its year-round recreation opportunities including skiing, hiking, and rock climbing, as well as its proximity to the Grand Canyon, national forests, state parks and wilderness areas. More information about NAU’s graduate programs in Forestry, including eligibility requirements, can be found at https://nau.edu/forestry/degrees-and-programs/
