The University of Maine is hiring a PhD student to serve a central role in a new five-year research project funded by the National Science Foundation on cooperation in the local food industry. Topically, the project focuses on uncovering patterns of cooperation within and between the organizations that make up the local food industry in Maine and Northeast. The student will perform this research through quantitative models and statistical analysis of the evolution of human culture and cooperation. The assistantship is designed for students with strong quantitative, analytical and communication skills who are interested in developing our understanding the dynamics of human behavior, cooperation, culture and organizational evolution as they pertain to environmental management.

The graduate student will work with Dr. Waring to conduct behavioral experiments, collect and analyze survey data, build and test new theoretical models, and to participate in outreach endeavors in the local food sector in Maine and beyond. The position is intended to prepare a PhD with expertise in social-ecological systems, and evolutionary approaches to human behavior, with a focus on environmental management and local food.

The assistantship is supported by the primarily by the National Science Foundation, as well as the Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions and the School of Economics. The Mitchell Center pursues an integrative research program with strong stakeholder partnerships to generate improved solutions to intersecting ecological, social, and economic challenges in and beyond Maine.

Qualifications:
A degree (prefer masters) in ecology, evolution or environmental science, economics, anthropology, sociology, social psychology or a related field; excellent GPA and GRE scores; strong quantitative, analytical and communication skills; programming experience; research experience; mature, organized, professional and courteous, and the ability to work independently and in collaborative teams. Support includes a fellowship of $22-25,000/yr for four years, a tuition waiver, and a subsidy for health insurance.

Application Procedures:
Contact Dr. Waring by email: timothy.waring@maine.edu, with subject line “Cooperation in Local Food Doctoral Assistantship.”

Please include:
1.  A letter detailing your interest in this position,
2.  A CV or resume,
3.  Scanned GRE scores and transcripts,
4.  Names, phone numbers, and email addresses of three references.

Review of materials will continue until the position is filled.

Tim Waring
Assistant Professor, School of Economics
Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions, University of Maine
phone: (207) 581-3157, fax: (207) 581-4278
timwaring.wordpress.com