Announcements > Transformative Capacity GRA at University of Wyoming

Agency: University of Wyoming
Start Date: August 20, 2024
Apply By: July 26, 2024 (rolling deadline)
Job Category: Graduate Research Assistantship
Salary: $22,585/year + tuition + health insurance
Location: Based in Laramie with statewide travel in Wyoming and possible regional travel

Description: Drs. Rebecca Witinok-Huber and Corrie Knapp are recruiting a MS student. This student will work on a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Adaptation Science-funded project called "Expanding the evidence base for climate investments toward transformative pathways: A framework to understand climate change adaptation process-outcomes linkages."

The NOAA AdSci project seeks to help climate service providers and community-based organizations better understand the impacts of their work on communities' abilities to adapt or transform in the face of climate change. Specifically, this 2-year grant will support in the understanding of what transformation means to our partnering organizations, leading to the development of effective and inclusive evaluation indicators and tools to link processes to outcomes in support of more resilient communities in the Intermountain West.

This 2-year master's project will work to complete a systematic literature review on transformative capacity in a changing climate, help to conduct and analyze several semi-structured interviews and listening sessions with community partners, support capacity building of partnering community-based organizations across the state and region including hiring and working with summer interns, and gain experience with other social science research projects. The information generated by the project will help expand an existing evaluative framework toward measuring indicators of adaptive and transformative capacity across diverse ways of knowing. This is an opportunity to conduct applied research in climate change adaptation and transformation including working to develop tools for climate service providers and community-based organizations to assess their impacts. This student will build relationships and trust with organizations across the Intermountain West.

The ideal candidate for this position will possess outstanding written and oral communication skills, have experience collaborating and/or being part of a team, have experience conducting systematic literature reviews, and have experience conducting qualitative social science field research that includes facilitating and analyzing interviews, discussion groups, and/or listening sessions. Candidates should have an interest in climate adaptation and transformation including working through applied methods with diverse community partners. Candidates should show creative and flexible thinking, be self-motivated, and able to work both independently with guidance and support as well as in collaboration with others.

The candidate selected will pursue their MS degree in Environment, Natural Resources & Society within the Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources. The position is the equivalent of 20 hours/week and will cover 9 credits of tuition during the fall/spring (no summer tuition) and student health insurance. Travel to meet with community partners and attend one domestic conference will also be available.

Qualifications: Preference will be given to applicants with interest OR experience in interdisciplinary and collaborative problem solving; climate change adaptation/transformation; work with historically marginalized groups including Native American Tribes and/or working in rural communities. Applicants will be considered who have a BA or BS in any field, with preference given to social science or interdisciplinary fields.

To apply: Please send the following materials as one PDF document to Dr. Rebecca Witinok-Huber at rwitinok@uwyo.edu with the subject 'Your Name_NOAA AdSci GRA'. This packet should include:
(1) Cover letter/narrative that explains your desire to pursue graduate education, your research interests, career goals, and highlights relevant experience;
(2) Resume or CV including degree(s) earned, GPA, and contact information for at least three references;
(3) Unofficial copy of transcripts; and
(4) An example manuscript or report you have written (if available).

Closing date and time: July 26, 2024, at 5 p.m. MST. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis after this deadline until a candidate is offered the position.