Graduate Position in Marine energy spatial planning and social networking

A Ph.D. student position is available in the Integrated Coastal Sciences Ph.D. program of the Department of Coastal Studies at East Carolina University beginning Fall 2022. The Department of Coastal Studies, part of ECU’s Integrated Coastal Programs, is an interdisciplinary department with expertise across the natural and social sciences. The PhD student will work toward understanding networks and building connections across the marine energy sector, coastal communities, blue economy industries (incl. aquaculture, ocean observing, coastal resilience), government, and academia as part of a new national marine energy center, the Atlantic Marine Energy Center (AMEC). AMEC, the fourth National Energy Center in the US, is focused on marine and hydrokinetic energy – the energy harnessed from the movement of waves, tidal currents, and ocean currents. Through this center, the US federal government will support research addressing challenges facing the marine energy sector and the testing of marine and hydrokinetic energy devices and infrastructure. The PhD student’s efforts will contribute to a key cross-cutting element of AMEC: stakeholder research, outreach, and engagement. Working with a team of researchers, the student will identify, connect with, and gather data from diverse stakeholder groups to understand how marine energy can help support maritime economies and how academic research can contribute to solving the challenges faced by maritime economies and the marine energy sector. The student will identify and/or develop engagement tools that connect and support communication between different stakeholders to advance marine renewable energy.

Qualifications

The student will be expected to utilize qualitative and quantitative methods to engage with key stakeholder groups, including focus groups, semi-structured interviews, and surveys, as well as participatory simulation activities. Prospective students must have a minimum of a B.S. in environmental studies, ecology, environmental science, anthropology, sociology, or a related field. The qualified candidate will possess excellent communication skills, including written, oral, and active listening, for a variety of audiences, and familiarity with community engagement methods and processes. In addition to the ability to work well in a collaborative environment, preferred candidates will demonstrate a commitment to interdisciplinary work. The student will be co-advised by Dr. Linda D’Anna and Dr. Lindsay Dubbs. The position is housed at the Coastal Studies Institute on ECU’s Outer Banks Campus. Interested students should send a CV, short statement of research interests, and contact information for two references to Drs. D’Anna ([email protected]) and Dubbs ([email protected]). Any questions about the position, project, or department can also be directed to these email addresses. Review of applications to the PhD program begins January 15th, 2022.