Graduate Research Assistantship Position Available: Human Dimensions of Bird-Friendly Grasslands

Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA: Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Conservation

Salary: The student will be supported with a research assistantship (12-month stipend at $2682-$2749/month), a full tuition waiver, and student health benefits.

Start date: August 2025

Review of applications will begin February. 

Description:

A Graduate Research Assistant is needed for a social science study evaluating the impacts of financial and technical assistance provided to ranchers to encourage bird-friendly habitat. This evaluation is part of a larger project in partnership with Audubon focused on the Audubon Conservation Ranching (ACR) Program which will be expanded through a Conservation Innovations Grant. The program will grow in four states (MN, IA, WI, and VT) with aims to benefit grassland health, producers’ bottom lines, and grassland bird species currently in decline. The grant will provide producers with enhanced financial and technical assistance to promote uptake and deployment of these NRCS-prioritized conservation practices across 2,000 acres. 

The student at Virginia Tech will participate in a qualitative evaluation to investigate the impacts of financial and technical assistance provided to participants through the program as well as the program’s efficacy. In addition, the study will analyze beef and dairy producer motivations for enrollment in the ACR Initiative, the perceived benefits of the ACR Initiative, and how the associated financial assistance influences their management decisions. The student will engage in a literature review and conduct semi-structured interviews as part of this study. Excellent organization, writing skills and attention to detail are essential as the student will be leading aspects of the research project. The student will have ample opportunity to design qualitative and quantitative research, write and present study results, and co-produce research and recommendations with the practitioners who will use the data.

Funding is available to support a student at the master’s or doctoral level with a mix of GRA, GTA, and/or fellowships. The student will receive a PhD in Fish and Wildlife Conservation from Virginia Tech and be part of the Dayer Human Dimensions Lab (http://www.fishwild.vt.edu/faculty/dayer/index.htm). PhD students will also be encouraged to apply to the interdisciplinary graduate education program Interfaces of Global Change (http://www.globalchange.vt.edu/igc/) which offers unique intellectual focus and training in the realm of global change and the science-policy interface. 

Preferred start date of August 2025 is negotiable. Graduate degree program will begin in August 2025.

Minimum qualifications:

  • BS or BA degree in human dimensions, fisheries, wildlife, natural resources, environmental social sciences, geography, or related discipline with coursework in social sciences and natural resources or environment
  • GPA of 3.4 or higher (over the last 60 credit hours)
  • Interest in social science research and science co-production with government agencies and landowners
  • Excellent writing skills
  • Organized and attention to detail
  • Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
  • Works well independently and as part of a team

Preferred qualifications:

  • MS or MA degree in human dimensions, fisheries, wildlife, natural resources, environmental social sciences, geography, or related discipline with coursework in social sciences and natural resources or environment
  • Demonstrated research experience (data collection, analysis, and writing)
  • Experience writing science research reports
  • Experience with interview and/or focus group research
  • Knowledge of grassland ecosystemsExperience with private lands conservation especially ranching or dairy farming
  • Experience with bird conservation
  • Skills in qualitative data analysis

To apply, submit a single pdf including:

  1. Cover letter summarizing interest in the position, qualifications, and experience, as well as research and career goals. Indicate your preference for the position. 
  2. CV or resume
  3. An academic/research writing sample (from a publication, research project, or class assignment) including a paragraph explaining applicant’s and others’ contributions to the piece
  4. Academic transcripts (can be unofficial)
  5. Names, contact information (email address and phone number), and short description of relationship for three professional or academic references  

Submit application materials via email to Dr. Kathleen Holland (kkholland@vt.edu) with “Dayer Lab GRA application” in the email subject line. Applications should be submitted before January 15, 2025 but will be reviewed as they are received. The top candidate will also need to apply to the Virginia Tech Graduate School before acceptance (but applicants do not need to initiate this application yet).

 

Contact Person: Dr. Kathleen Holland

Contact email: kkholland@vt.edu