PhD positions are available at the Landscape Ecology and Ecosystem Sciences (LEES http://research.eeescience.utoledo.edu/lees/) Lab at the University of Toledo to study ecosystem and societal functions on the Mongolian Plateau. The positions require the abilities to synthesize existing data and aid regional and continental up-scaling efforts in the context of climatic and socioeconomic changes. Successful candidates must have solid understanding of the coupled human and natural environment (CHN) systems in the context of climate change, human influence and land use that drive the underlying processes of CHN systems. Candidates must have a MS degree in ecology, environmental science, geography or remote sensing/GIS with emphases on sub-disciplines like human ecology, economics, environmental science or environmental economics or geography. Candidates must have outstanding quantitative skills with experience in computer programming, machine-learning algorithms, specifically demonstrable skills in agent-based simulation modeling of land cover/use change (e.g., Dyna-CLUE), remote sensing (e.g., Support Vector Machine classification), GIS, database development and must have outstanding quantitative and communication skills for collaborative studies. The candidates are expected to build strong publication records in international peer-reviewed journals. The appointments are for four years with progress evaluations after the first year. The appointments are for four years with progress evaluation after the first year. Positions will report to Dr. Jiquan Chen ([email protected]). For more information, please contact Dr. Ranjeet John at [email protected].
