Oklahoma State University is seeking a PhD Graduate Research Assistant to join a multi-institutional USDA-funded project addressing groundwater depletion in the Southern Great Plains portion of the Ogallala-High Plains Aquifer. The project integrates satellite-based evapotranspiration data (OpenET), producer socio-economic research, and regional economic modeling to support the transition from fully irrigated to climate-smart production systems across Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas.
The student will work under the supervision of Dr. Dayton Lambert and collaborate with an interdisciplinary team spanning Kansas State University, Texas Tech University, and the Kansas Geological Survey. The position is funded for up to five years, contingent on satisfactory progress.

Degree: Master of Science in Agriculture, emphasis in Agricultural Business and Economics

Description: We are recruiting graduate students and have Master’s research assistantships available to study one or more of the following areas: the economic impacts of alternative water management strategies and/or policies to conserve water in the Ogallala Aquifer, the economic contribution and importance of natural resources for agriculture, the economic evaluation of best management practices in agricultural systems including regenerative agriculture, and the ability of the High Plains to supply confined animal feeding operations with feed.

Qualifications: Applicant must be self-motivated with a good attitude, critical thinking skills, and strong work ethic. Applicant must also possess excellent spreadsheet skills in Excel due to the large amount of data which will be evaluated. Well-developed oral and written communication skills and the ability to work both individually and cooperatively within a team setting are required. Applicants with a B.S. in Agribusiness or Agricultural Business and Economics and a strong interest in natural resource conservation are preferred. A degree acquired in a closely related discipline such as animal science, plant science, ag communications, general agriculture, or business will also be considered, depending on interest and experience.

Stipend: $20,000 per year plus health insurance and half-off tuition:

https://www.wtamu.edu/business–finance/human–resources/benefits.html.

Application procedure: It is highly recommended that potential students tour the campus and visit with a faculty member prior to applying. Applicant must take the GRE and meet the minimum admission requirements.

• Visit our departmental webpage to see the degree requirements: https://www.wtamu.edu/academics/college–agriculture–natural–sciences/departmentagricultural–sciences/programs/graduate/agriculture–graduate–programs–html.
• Visit the graduate school webpage to apply: https://www.wtamu.edu/academics/graduateschool/index.html
• Schedule a campus tour here: https://www.wtamu.edu/admissions/visit/index.html.