Job Description
Submit the application directly to the handshake system. If the candidate is not a NMSU student, they would need to also apply for graduate school: https://gradschool.nmsu.edu/. More information about NM WRRI can be found at: https://nmwrri.nmsu.edu/, and the NMSU Water Science and Management Graduate Program at https://wsm.nmsu.edu/. Dr. Sam Fernald can be contacted directly at afernald@nmsu.edu about the Water Science and Management Graduate Program.
A graduate research assistantship is available starting in the Fall 2023 (earlier, summer start date negotiable) semester covering tuition at New Mexico State University. The position is an exciting opportunity to approach issues of water scarcity and agricultural production from a social science perspective, while working as part of a multi-disciplinary, collaborative stakeholder and scientific group that is examining potential strategies to conserve both water resources and the agricultural economy in southern New Mexico.
Job Duties:
Graduate assistant will work closely with Dr. Holly Brause and other members of the social science team to collect, analyze and synthesize 50 ethnographic interviews with agricultural stakeholders in southern New Mexico.
Student will work to recruit interviewees, obtain informed consent, carry out in-person interviews, manage confidential data, and analyze the interviews with a process of qualitative analytic coding using NVivo software.
Student will help to guide the modeling team to understand the findings of the interviews so that they may be incorporated into the project model.
Student may also be invited to participate in meetings between the team of collaborating stakeholders and the research team.
Job Requirements:
Graduate assistant will take required training in human subjects research and be added to the research teams IRB.
Student must be able to drive to local farms to meet with stakeholders (use of NM WRRI-owned vehicle is preferred).
Student should have the ability to effectively collaborate and work independently.
Preference will be given to applicants who have experience with interview data collection, an interest in addressing stakeholder issues, previous field research experience, and an enthusiasm for working with people.
Successful candidates will have a strong academic record in anthropology or sociology, with some experience in hydrology, ecology, biology, environmental science, or related field is preferred.
Requirements also include a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a license within six months of hire, the ability to lift 40 lbs and carry heavy equipment.
When applying for the position, please include in the cover letter: 1) your general research and career goals and 2) if you are interested in obtaining a MS or PhD. Note that interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis until position is filled.
NMSU is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, people with disabilities, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.
