The Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics (AGEC) at the University of Wyoming is inviting applications for a highly qualified graduate research assistant (MS level) beginning Fall 2025 to contribute to research on the economics of irrigation and water availability in Wyoming. Farms and ranches in Wyoming depend heavily on water for forage crop production, and their irrigation practices can also influence key ecosystem services, including artificial wetlands and instream flows for fish. This project will investigate how producers respond to drought and policy changes by altering irrigation strategies and will evaluate the economic trade-offs associated with different irrigation methods.
The student will develop an in-depth understanding of farm and ranch-level decision-making related to irrigation and will gain experience applying risk analysis tools and working with ranch-level linear programming models. The research will serve as the foundation for the student’s MS thesis. The successful candidate will work with Dr Kristi Hansen and will collaborate with interdisciplinary partners
engaged in agricultural and environmental research.
The successful candidate will receive a full waiver of tuition and fees (including health insurance) to pursue an MS in Agricultural and Applied Economics at UW. The candidate will be compensated with a monthly stipend (approximately $1,600/month), as long as they perform adequately (determined via evaluation each semester) in both coursework and research as a full-time AGEC graduate student.
Eligibility
- Must hold a bachelor’s degree and be accepted as a graduate student at the University of Wyoming (click here for AGEC/UW admission requirements).
- Will possess strong quantitative skills, outstanding written and oral communication skills
- Have experience or strong interest in collaborating and/or working as part of an interdisciplinary team
Requirements
- Preference will be given to applicants with interest or experience in economic analysis or other quantitative analysis of social systems; rangeland livestock production systems, and/or working in rural communities.
- Applicants will be considered who have a BA or BS in any field, with preference given to agricultural economics, economics, or a related field. International applicants are welcomed if theyalready hold VISA status to study in the US.
Application Details
- Cover letter describing interest in the research project and any unique qualifications
- Resume indicating scholarly, extracurricular, and work experiences;
- Contact information for three professional references (indicate their position/role)
- Copy of all undergraduate transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable)
The complete applications should be sent to ******@**yo.edu” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener” title=””>Jaiden Damiani by email (jd******@**yo.edu):
Review of applications is underway and will continue until a suitable candidate is identified. The
preferred candidate will then be required to submit a full application to the University of Wyoming
Admissions Office.
