We seek a highly motivated Ph.D. student to work on interdisciplinary environmental issues related to stormwater and low impact development (LID), with the specific topics to be defined primarily by the successful candidate in collaboration with interested faculty in the Washington State University (WSU) Center for Environmental Research, Education and Outreach (CEREO; http://cereo.wsu.edu) and WSUs Low Impact Development Stormwater Research Program (http://puyallup.wsu.edu/stormwater/) Aging infrastructure, climate change, human pressures on groundwater supplies, and emerging pollutants are motivating adoption of LID approaches to stormwater management, and creating a broad landscape of opportunities for interdisciplinary research that answers fundamental questions about complex ecosystem functioning in service to broader societal needs. This work is anticipated to provide the successful candidate with exceptional opportunities to interact with diverse individuals and groups working at the forefront of stormwater research and management in non-profit organizations, municipalities, universities and the private sector.
The successful candidate will have a background in aquatic science, ecology, ecotoxicology, civil engineering or a related discipline, strong quantitative skills (e.g. statistics, modeling), strong communication skills for both written technical communication and communication with the public, and comfort with both self-directed and highly collaborative work. A Masters degree is preferred, but accomplished and exceptionally motivated individuals with a Bachelors degree will receive full consideration as well. The graduate student will work directly under the mentorship of Professor Stephanie Hampton (http://environment.wsu.edu/people/faculty/hampton.html), in residence at WSU-Pullman, with frequent travel to and residence at WSU- Puyallup Research and Extension Center (http://puyallup.wsu.edu/stormwater/) where stormwater and LID research facilities are ideal for a wide diversity of projects. The student may be admitted as early as January 2015, and the possibility exists for temporary employment as a research assistant in the Fall of 2014. Please submit 1) a CV or resume, 2) names and contact information for 3 professional references, and 3) a cover letter briefly describing how your background fits this position, and your interests in future research. We will begin reviewing applications on 26 September 2014. Please direct inquiries to Stephanie Hampton (s.hamp...@wsu.edu) with subject header stormwater research.
