Graduate Assistantships/Fellowships

Graduate assistantships/fellowships are available for outstanding self-motivated students to conduct innovative and high-impact research at the Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability (CSIS) at Michigan State University (MSU).

With support from the U.S. National Science Foundation and other funding sources, research topics may include sustainability science, coupled human and natural systems, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services, human well-being, land change science, forest and landscape ecology, global change, systems integration (integration of ecology with demography, economics, sociology, technology, and policy; integration of land, water, and/or energy such as food-energy-water nexus), ecology and management of wildlife (e.g., giant pandas in China), systems modeling and simulation (e.g., agent-based modeling), and telecoupling (socioeconomic and environmental interactions over distances, through means such as globalization, human and animal migration, species dispersal, species invasion, disease spread, spread of pollutants and wastes, trade of goods and products, flows of ecosystem services, environmental and hydrological flows, foreign investment, technology transfer, water transfer, and tourism). Papers on these topics by CSIS faculty and students have been published in journals such as Science, Nature, and PNAS.

With flexible start dates (e.g., summer or fall of 2016), successful candidates can build on these previous studies and explore new frontiers of research.

Application materials include:

1. Letter of application
2. Statement of professional goals
3. CV or resume
4. Transcripts
5. GRE scores
6. TOEFL scores (for non-native English speakers only)
7. List of 3-4 references (names and contact information)
8. Up to three representative publications if any

Unofficial copies of GRE, TOEFL and transcripts are OK initially.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their application materials as soon as possible, or until the positions are filled. Applications and questions about these opportunities can also be emailed to:

Jianguo (Jack) Liu
Rachel Carson Chair in Sustainability
Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48823-5243, USA
liuji@msu.edu
http://csis.msu.edu/people/jianguo-liu

EcoShift Consulting and SupplyShift Are Seeking Interns to Support Real-World Projects

Interested in working on fast-paced, applied energy and climate projects in a team environment, and be mentored by seasoned environmental professionals? SupplyShift and EcoShift Consulting are seeking 2-3 motivated interns with strong analytical skills to work with its management staff on three projects next year during winter and spring quarters, possibly longer. If you have 10 hours a week to devote to an exciting internship, read on. 

 EcoShift provides turn-key consulting focused on helping companies and organizations create value through sustainability. EcoShift relies on metrics to set the foundation for change, flexibility, and incorporating sustainability into organizations. EcoShift helps organizations increase innovation, revenue, and strengthen their brand while cutting costs, and reducing risk – all by building sustainability into operations, products, and services. EcoShift seeks interns to work on two projects, ES Project 1 and ES Project 2, as described below. 

SupplyShift is a supply chain sustainability software startup that helps large companies engage the suppliers, factories, and farmers they buy from to track and improve sustainability performance. SupplyShift was a finalist in this year's Sustainable Brands Innovation Open, and is currently working with Stonyfield Farms, Del Monte Foods, UC San Diego and CCF Brands. SupplyShift seeks an intern to work on one project, SS Project, as described below. 

ES Project 1: Support techno-economic studies of solar PV for commercial property owners. For this project, funded by the UCSC Carbon Fund, EcoShift is seeking an intern to work on a variety of tasks related to commercial property energy efficiency and solar PV project characterization, site suitability and economic feasibility studies for target businesses in Santa Cruz County. The project team will work closely with commercial property owner representatives, City of Santa Cruz Climate Action Staff, and financial institutions, as necessary, to complete the scope of work for this six month project. This is an unpaid internship. Course credit can be arranged with the Environmental Studies Internship Office. Preferred skills include: Excel, Word, financial analysis, and familiarity with renewable energy policy, siting and financing. 

 ES Project 2: Support UCSC's Integrated Energy and Climate Strategy project For this project, EcoShift is seeking an intern to work on a variety of tasks related to the firm's role in UCSC's year-long Integrated Energy and Climate Strategy project. Tasks include assisting with data collection and compilation, development and testing of a techno-economic analysis tool, and development of scenarios to support the decision making process on UCSC's long term energy strategy. This is an unpaid internship. Course credit can be arranged with the Environmental Studies Internship Office. Preferred skills include: Excel, Word, building science, and energy efficiency auditing. SS Project: Support SupplyShift, a supply chain sustainability software startup For this project, SupplyShift is seeking an intern to work on a variety of tasks related to onboarding new companies, testing new features, managing their Scorecard Library, graphic design, and research. They're looking for someone who has already had experience working on a sustainability-related internship and who is interested in devoting at least 10 hours a week on an ongoing basis. The internship will begin as unpaid, and could convert to a paid position within 6-9 months. Course credit can be arranged with the Environmental Studies Internship Office. Preferred skills include: Excel, graphic design (In-Design or Photoshop), and familiarity with sustainability rating systems. 

 Most important for all these projects is that applicant can demonstrate that he/she is a quick learner, detail oriented, dedicated and is enthusiastic to work with SupplyShift and EcoShift Consulting, Santa Cruz-based sister firms. If you are interested, please submit a cover letter including which project(s) you are most interested in and why, and a resume with a list of courses completed to Tiffany Wise-West at twisewest [at] ecoshift [dot] com For more information about the two firms, see www.supplyshift.net and www.ecoshift.com