opportunities

Graduate Research Assistant

I am currently recruiting 1-2 new Graduate Research Assistants (GRAs) to work on projects related to disaster risk and climate resilience starting Fall 2025. Projects include:

·      Novel methods to select effective earthquake scenarios for applications in emergency management and disaster risk analysis, as well as developing tools and approaches to facilitate risk communication to community members and other stakeholders, in collaboration with the Center for Collective Impact in Earthquake Science

·     Integrative and collaborative system dynamics modeling of Controlled Environment Agricultural (i.e., indoor farming) systems to inform climate resilience strategies in Tribal communities. Read more about the project here and here. Prior experience in systems thinking, system dynamics modeling, engagement with Tribal communities, and/or participatory methods is preferred but not required.

I encourage enthusiastic, driven candidates with an interest in reducing the risk of communities to natural hazards (e.g. earthquakes, landslides, hurricanes, drought, extreme heat) to apply. I am excited to hire a GRA who is eager to work in a highly interdisciplinary space at the intersection of the built, social, and natural environments using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Experience in at least one programming language (e.g. R or Python) is preferred. Due to the nature of the work, which will involve interviews, focus groups, and workshops conducted in English, the successful applicant must demonstrate strong fluency in English. Applicants from underrepresented backgrounds are especially encouraged to apply.  I am also looking for applicants who demonstrate leadership, initiative, and community building to show their fit and willingness to be part of a vibrant, collaborative, and supportive research team.

GRAs are expected to be enrolled full-time in the UNM Geography PhD or MS program. The GRA position consists of a monthly stipend, including tuition waiver and benefits. Interested candidates should apply to the PhD or MS program in Geography at the University of New Mexico and indicate that they would like to work with Dr. Yolanda Lin in the personal statement. The PhD and MS application deadline is January 15. 

Details on the department and graduate programs in Geography can be found at http://geography.unm.edu. The application process is described on the UNM GES website at: https://geography.unm.edu/academics/graduate-studies/index.html.

If you have any additional questions, please contact:

Yolanda C. Lin, Assistant Professor

e-mail: ycl@unm.edu

Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, University of New Mexico