Dr. Gina Gilson is recruiting a PhD or MS student to conduct research related to water policy in the western US, primarily in the Colorado River region. The student will join the Department of Environment and Society at Utah State University starting in Spring of 2027. Topics may include, but aren’t limited to:
- Strategies for reducing consumptive water use, including via market-based strategies or conjunctive management policies, and the impact of such strategies on water users and rural communities
- Collaborative governance and the incorporation of stakeholder values in policy decisions and management actions, including the role of social science in the science-policy-practice interface
- The water-energy nexus related to data center development
The exact scope of work will depend on student interest. Student-led projects within these topics are flexible, and there is room for students to engage in studies that align with their interests. It is expected that the student will use qualitative methods or mixed methods for community-engaged research. Students will have the opportunity to work closely with communities, managers, and other researchers.
Funding for this position is provided through USU start-up funds and through the Center for Colorado River Studies. Support will be provided for fieldwork travel. In their first semester, the student will co-author a non-academic publication for USU’s Institute for Land, Water, and Air.
This position is based at Utah State University’s main Logan campus. Research duties will be year-round, including the spring semester, fall semester, and over the summer. Students will receive a stipend that includes 20 hours a week as a research assistant and subsidized health insurance. For PhD applications, three years of research assistant funding is available; the fourth year may be funded through additional grants if available, or through a teaching assistantship. Students who are not yet Utah residents will receive a waiver for the out-of-state portion of tuition and may also receive an award for the in-state portion. Students will need to apply for the USU graduate program in Environment and Society; a specialization in Climate Adaptation Science is also available along with graduate certificates in topics such as environmental communication and engagement or applied GIS.
Preferred qualifications:
- A bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, environmental sciences, geography, sociology, policy studies, or a related field. A master’s degree is preferred for PhD applicants.
- Flexibility to travel within the US for data collection, possibly for several weeks at a time.
- Interest in social science research methods.
- Strong written and oral communication skills, ideally with academic and non-academic audiences.
To apply for this position, please email the following documents to gina.gilson@usu.edu: (1) a brief statement of interest clearly stating research interests, relevant experience, and qualifications; and (2) a current C.V. or resume. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled, although preliminary reviews will begin on September 15. Additional materials such as a writing sample and references may be requested later in the process.
About Utah State University
USU is the state’s land grant institution, serving more than 28,000 students across its statewide campuses. USU’s main campus is in Logan, surrounded by the Bear River and Wellsville Mountains, approximately an hour and a half north of Salt Lake City. Logan is known for its year-round recreation opportunities, as well as its proximity to national parks, national forests, and numerous state parks and wilderness areas.
