I am seeking one to two Ph.D. students interested in modeling socioecological systems to take part in an NSF-funded interdisciplinary project on participatory-ensemble modeling to study the multiscale social and behavioral dynamics of food security. The project summary can be found here: http://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1416730. The Ph.D. students will be responsible for the development of agent-based models to simulate the spatial and temporal variability of food access in order to explain how individual behaviors link with livelihood vulnerability. Required skills include intermediate/advanced programming (Python preferred) and advanced spatial analysis and modeling. Preference will be given to students with previous experience in agent-based modeling. The students will be based at the Department of Geography, Michigan State University, and can be also affiliated with the university-wide Environmental Science and Policy Program - ESPP. In addition to funding from the project (which covers tuition, stipend, health insurance, conference travel, and field travel), candidates can apply for funding from ESPP.

To apply, please send:

1. A personal statement, which should describe your career goals and your research interests and how they are compatible with the project,
2. A brief list of your academic and professional accomplishments: GRE, TOEFL scores (non-native speakers), degrees, GPA, awards, fellowships, publications, grants, presentations at professional meetings, jobs, etc.
3. Curriculum Vitae
4. The names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of 3 references.

Other required documents and the application procedure are posted here: http://geo.msu.edu/graduate-information/apply/. Funds may be available to bring prospective students in for a campus visit. Candidates should contact Dr. Arika Ligmann-Zielinska (ligmannz@msu.edu) before submitting the application to the Department of Geography. DEADLINE: December 20, 2014.

Arika Ligmann-Zielinska, Ph.D.,

Assistant Professor,
Department of Geography and Environmental Science and Policy Program,
Geography Building,
673 Auditorium Rd, Room 121,
Michigan State University,
East Lansing, MI 48824-1117,
Tel: 517-432-4749,

Website: https://www.msu.edu/~ligmannz/index.htm
STSA Lab: http://www.geo.msu.edu/~stsa/index.html