Position: Graduate Research Assistant/PhD
Focus: Examining Climate Change and Human Wellbeing in Puget Sound
Human Dimensions Lab, Oregon State University Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences, Corvallis, OR

The Human Dimensions lab at Oregon State University’s department of Fisheries, Wildlife
and Conservation Sciences is seeking an outstanding PhD student to contribute to applied
research on the relationships between climate change and human wellbeing in the Puget
Sound region of Washington State. The student will be funded by an EPA award to work
with the Puget Sound Partnership in Washington State and Dr. Biedenweg and Dr.
Trimbach at OSU. The student will be expected to play an active role in partner-engaged
collaborative research and project management, including working closely with the Puget
Sound Partnership and/or other Puget Sound partners. The student will be fully funded for
a minimum of four years through a combination of Research Assistantship and Teaching
Assistantship.

Start date: March 2022 (Spring Term)

Application deadline: November 1, 2021

Funding: A combination of RA and TA that cover tuition, benefits and stipend. Project
travel support also available.

Expectations:
1. Design and conduct original, empirical research on climate change and human
wellbeing in the Puget Sound region related to the Puget Sound Partnership’s
Human Wellbeing Vital Signs (see links below)
2. Collaborate with existing Puget Sound partners to conduct partner-engaged
research
3. Co-locate with one of the partner agencies for a minimum three months
4. Teach one online course per year in Communications or Multicultural Perspectives
in Natural Resource Management
5. Co-author ~1 manuscript every two years with Dr. Biedenweg and/or Dr. Trimbach
6. Submit proposals to obtain additional research funding support
7. Participate in relevant academic conferences and partner meetings
8. Follow departmental guidelines to meet graduation requirements in about 4 years
9. Already have a completed M.S. in relevant field

To apply:
Please send a CV with the names of 3 references, a cover letter describing your interest in
this project, and a 3-4 page research proposal describing (in general) the research you
would like to conduct (see links below for more information), including
hypotheses/questions, methods, justification, and intended products to Dr. David Trimbach,
david.trimbach@oregonstate.edu. Note, we recognize you may not have a solidified proposal in
mind and that’s okay. You will not be held to this proposal. This application requirement is to
assess your interests and ability to develop a research project. We are happy to work with you
to develop these – please feel free to reach out discuss. Applications accepted until filled,
though we will begin reviewing November 1st, 2021. Feel free to reach out after this date to see if
we are still reviewing applications.

Please do not apply to the OSU graduate school. See the department’s graduate acceptance
process here: https://fwcs.oregonstate.edu/fisheries-and-wildlife/how-apply-ms-or-phdgraduate-program

PhD project proposal and ideas: While this position is linked to WA state agencies and ongoing
recovery efforts, we are open and flexible to a diverse range of applied research projects (e.g.,
proposal ideas). Potential examples include, but are not limited to:
• Examination of human wellbeing, climate change impacts, and local shellfish harvesting
practices in the Puget Sound region
• Examination of human wellbeing and climate change impacts, like sea level rise or extreme
weather events, using available quantitative and/or spatial data in the Puget Sound region
• Comparison of human wellbeing and climate change impacts in the Puget Sound region
with other systems, such as the larger transboundary Salish Sea region or the California Bay
Delta region
• Examination of human wellbeing integration within climate change mitigation and
adaptive management strategies or plans in the Puget Sound region
• Examination of human wellbeing and climate change impacts on a minority or
underrepresented population

Further information about the Puget Sound Partnership (funding source)
https://www.psp.wa.gov/puget-sound-partnership.php

Further Information about the Puget Sound Partnership’s Vital Signs (funding for this
position focuses on Healthy Human Population and Vibrant Quality of Life Vital Signs)
http://www.psp.wa.gov/vitalsigns/index.php

Further Information about the Social Science for the Salish Sea (S4) Effort (pay
attention to Q09: How does, and will, climate change impact the holistic health and wellbeing
of Salish Sea communities?). Funding for this position is provided to support
research associated with this question and the overall S4 priorities.
https://earthlab.uw.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2019/12/S4Report_FINAL.pdf