4-year PhD Assistantship in coastal planning, policy and design to pursue research on climate and disaster visualizations

Position description: The University of Rhode Island (URI) Dept. of Marine Affairs (web.uri.edu/maf) is seeking a PhD student to create and test climate and disaster visualization techniques in the Marine Affairs Visualization Lab. URI is recognized as a leader in the US and globally in the field of coastal resilience and climate adaptation. The student will pursue the application of visualization design theory and practice to complex challenges of long-term planning for urban coastal communities vulnerable to storms, sea level rise, and other climate change impacts. For the past three years, we have been conducting research into improving visualizations of climate hazards and applying them with the public and decision makers in coastal communities. The student will conduct independent research aligned with these themes. This work uniquely combines aspects of ocean science, design, policy, and applied social science.
The doctoral student will work under Prof. Austin Becker and receive interdisciplinary training in coastal planning and policy in the Department of Marine Affairs. Four years of funding has been identified for this position. This position will begin with training in the summer of 2017, with fall admission to the MAF program.
Qualifications: We seek a highly-motivated student with a Master of Landscape Architecture (or equivalent) and a strong academic record who wishes to pursue interdisciplinary academic work. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in design and an affinity for science and policy. Visual communication skills and design problem solving skills, such as being able to work with and around technical limitations or constraints, are essential. Excellent writing skills are also required. Familiarity with programming is also highly desired, but not required at the outset. The work currently will leverage a range of design and technical skills, including procedural modelling and scripting techniques as well as more traditional 3d modelling and geomodelling. Although it’s not necessary to have all of the skills at the outset of work, the ideal candidate will minimally have a strong familiarity with 3d modelling and visual communication, and a willingness to learn and self-teach skills.
The preferred candidate will have excellent writing, drawing, and visual communication skills, as well as experience with:
¥ 3d modelling software such as Rhino (or similar) and associated problem solving skills
¥ scripting, or a willingness to learn scripting skills
¥ Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator
¥ GIS

For more information, please contact Prof. Austin Becker at abecker@uri.edu or see web.uri.edu/abecker