Funded M.S. Opportunity in Applied Economics

Oregon River

We are recruiting a M.S. student for a Graduate Assistant position for a project focused on advancing sustainable groundwater use and evaluating tradeoffs where groundwater resources are being depleted. A challenging obstacle to sustainable groundwater use is the enormous uncertainty about the groundwater system, and also the difficulty for stakeholder groups to recognize and pursue feasible paths toward sustainable groundwater use. Students applying to Oregon State University in M.S. degree programs in Applied Economics beginning the 2020-2021 academic year are eligible for this opportunity. The program includes one year of GA funding, with opportunities for additional support from other sources after the first year.

This project will focus on the Harney Basin in central Oregon where groundwater levels in some areas have dropped 50-100 feet in 10 years. The project aim is to reduce that uncertainty and contribute to changes that will foster sustainable resource use. The overall project includes constructing a hydro-economic model for the Basin in collaboration with the USGS and state agencies. Extensive stakeholder engagement is an important part of the research process. Stakeholders will be involved in the development of scenarios and policy pathways to evaluate using the model, and surveys will monitor attitudes and perceptions related to sustainable groundwater use pathways over the course of the project.

We encourage qualified applicants to contact us with any questions at wjaeger@oregonstate.edu. Applications to our graduate program are due January 15, 2020.

Program Benefits: One year of Graduate Assistant stipend, benefits and tuition. Experience working on a multi-disciplinary research team and a project with extensive stakeholder engagement.

Qualifications: B.S. in economics, water resources, natural resources, engineering, or related fields. Preference will be given to highly motivated individuals with strong quantitative and writing skills and demonstrated interest in economic analysis, water resources and climate change.

This project is funded by USDA’s National Institute for Food and Agriculture.