Graduate Assistantship in Water Education

Applications are invited for a 12-month (renewable) graduate assistantship at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), the flagship, land-grant institution in the state of Nebraska. The graduate student would join a collaborative team of postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, and undergraduate researchers led by Dr. Cory Forbes in the UNL School of Natural Resources. The successful applicant will also be part of a dynamic and growing STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), FANH (food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences), and discipline-based education research (DBER) community at UNL.

About the Job

The position focuses on effective teaching and learning about water, water systems, water resources, and socio-hydrological challenges through multiple projects funded by NSF and USDA-NIFA. Broadly, these projects focus on undergraduate students' use of computer-based, data-driven modeling tools to reason and make decisions about socio-hydrologic systems in an introductory, interdisciplinary undergraduate course - Water in Society – serving undergraduate students at UNL. The position will afford opportunities to contribute to and collaborate with Dr. Forbes and other UNL faculty as a member of the instructional team for the course, serve as a teaching assistant 1 semester/year, design, develop, and refine course materials, and conduct DBER as part of the course. Secondarily, through Dr. Forbes' other funded projects and the National Collaborative for Research on Food, Energy, and Water Education (NC-FEW) network, the individual in this position will be able to explore additional opportunities for DBER on water education in postsecondary, K-12, and/or informal/non-formal contexts (depending on the interests and background of the applicant) and become a part of an emerging community of educators and education researchers interested in teaching and learning about natural systems and their human dimensions.

This is a fully-funded assistantship with guaranteed funding for three years. The position is initially established for a period of one year. Continuation of this position beyond one year is contingent upon satisfactory performance of assigned duties. Position includes a stipend, health insurance, and tuition remission. The planned start date for the position is August 15, 2020. Initial review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Qualifications

Candidates for this position should possess a strong disciplinary background in STEM. Preferred credentials would involve some combination of undergraduate and masters-level work in water science and education. Prior experience designing, delivering, and communicating about educational programming in postsecondary, K-12, and/or informal/nonformal contexts is desirable. Moreover, competitive applicants will have a demonstrated history of collaborative work and effective communication skills (both written and oral). The student would pursue doctoral studies through the Ph.D. program in the UNL School of Natural Resources.

Application Instructions

Please submit inquiries about the position to Cory Forbes. To apply, applicants should email a letter of interest describing their background, interest, qualifications, and future goals, a resume/curriculum vitae, 2 writing samples, and names of 3 references to Dr. Forbes via email.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is committed to a pluralistic campus community through affirmative action, equal opportunity, work-life balance, and dual careers.