PhD position – hydrological modelling and characterization of the coupled dynamics of natural and human systems in Northern Botswana: Water quality, microbial dynamics, and human and wildlife health – Virginia Tech

School: Virginia Tech

Location: Blacksburg, Virginia

Job Category: Graduate Assistantships

Salary: Competitive stipend and tuition

Last Date to Apply: 12/01/2016

 

Description:

     The Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation at Virginia Tech, in collaboration with the Centre of African Resources; Animals, Communities and Land use (CARACAL) in Botswana would like to recruit a PhD candidate to participate on an NSF CNH funded project under the direction of the PI, Dr. Kathleen Alexander and co-PI Dr. Adil Godrej. This project is directed at coupled natural-human dynamics, exploring dryland river floodplain systems and their complex influences on microbial communities, water quality, and health. The PhD candidate will use the hydrological model, MIKE SHE, together with other models from the MIKE series, to assess hydrology and water quality dynamics of the Chobe River in Northern Botswana and evaluate linkages and feedbacks to the health of animals and human communities in the region. For more information on our program please visit the following sites:
http://fishwild.vt.edu/faculty/alexander.htm
www.caracal.info
www.facebook/caracalbotswana.com
www.healthbotswana.blogspot.com 

 

Qualifications:

Required qualifications: 

     Candidates must have a Master’s degree in engineering, earth science, or quantitative ecology with an interest in hydrological modelling and disease ecology. A strong background in either hydrological science/modelling or ecological science/modelling and an interest in working across disciplines is required. The candidate must demonstrate strong quantitative and analytical abilities and have a proven capacity to publish high quality research. The candidate will have the opportunity to work with a large multidisciplinary team that engages a diverse set of disciplines including disease ecology, epidemiology, microbial ecology, public health, veterinary medicine, hydrology, environmental engineering, mathematical modelling, dry land river ecology, and anthropology.

Application procedure: 

    To apply for this position please provide:

1) A letter of interest

2) A current curriculum vitae

3) Contact information for three references

4) Copies of recent transcripts and GRE scores

5) Example(s) of published scientific work first authored by the candidate

Please send this as a single *.pdf document to Kathleen Alexander (kathyalx@vt.edu) and Claire Sanderson (clairees@vt.edu). Candidate must be able to work independently, as well as collaboratively. Non-native English speakers must also be fluent in English, as demonstrated by a recent IELTS or TOEFL test. 

     Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled, with an anticipated start date spring of 2017. Competitive candidates may be invited to Virginia Tech for an interview.