Ms​/Phd Graduate Assistantships – Stream Project

MS / PhD Graduate Assistantships:
The Simulation and Terrain-based River Elevation Advanced Mapping (STREAM) Project Responsibilities

Students working on this project will develop mapped floodplains in rural and low-population areas of Maine, where detailed hydrologic and hydraulic studies have not yet been conducted. Gaps in flood hazard data limit the ability of state and local agencies to assess flood risk, plan mitigation strategies, and support emergency management. Students will use high-resolution elevation data and advanced modeling techniques to calculate 100-year floodplain surfaces, building upon previously successful approaches used in other New England watersheds.

Community engagement and participatory research activities will include outreach, facilitation of community meetings, and a diversity of science communications. Projects are co-supervised by University of Maine faculty in the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology; the School of Food and Agriculture; and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Maine Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. Students will also work closely with scientists at the USGS New England Water Science Center.

Good communication skills are essential, as students will be responsible for frequent coordination and reporting.

• A B.S. in biology, agricultural sciences, or an equivalent field is required for M.S. and Ph.D. applicants.
• For Ph.D. students, an M.S. in a similar field is strongly preferred.
• Prior field and laboratory experience and an interest in socio-ecological systems are essential.
• Applicants must have a desire to contribute to a collaborative and supportive graduate student community.
• Prior experience in data management and GIS is desirable but not required.

• Minimum $28,000 per year for M.S. students and $31,333.33 per year for Ph.D. students, paid bi-weekly.
• Minimum 65% of the medical insurance premium for students and up to 50% for one dependent.
• Minimum 50% of the dental insurance premium for students.
• Minimum 13 credit hours of tuition.
• Funding is renewed annually, dependent upon funding availability and student performance.
• Four years of research assistantship are anticipated for Ph.D. students and two years for M.S. students.

One student will be co-advised by Drs. Rachel Schattman and Christina Murphy, and another will be advised by Drs. Noah Charney and Christina Murphy. Students may pursue a graduate degree in Biology with a concentration in Ecology, Wildlife Ecology, Plant Soil and Environmental Sciences, or Ecology and Environmental Sciences. Applicants should state their preferred program in their cover letters.

Students will be based at the University of Maine in Orono, Maine, near Bangor. The campus is surrounded by forests, bogs, rivers, and lakes, with access to outdoor recreation including hiking, biking, and skiing.

Assistantships cover 20 hours per week. Desktop computers will be provided for work. The position is covered by the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the University of Maine System and UMGWU-UAW.

Questions should be directed to Rachel Schattman attman and Christina Murphy phy, using the subject heading “STREAM Assistantship”.