Fwd: Fully Funded PhD at NC State

[Ritwick Ghosh]

Dear All,

Please find attached (and pasted below) a call for a fully funded PhD position at NC State on the political economy of forest carbon markets in the US. The project examines the discourses and politics of forest carbon markets, with a focus on efforts to involve smaller forest landholders in market transactions. The applicant would be expected to use mixed research methods and contribute to ongoing discussions on the effectiveness and justice implications of forest carbon markets, with a focus on the US. 

Key questions include: What drives the push to expand access to these markets? How are market actors seeking to involve smaller landholders? What are the limits of expanding market participation? And what roles do intermediaries—such as standard developers, verifiers, and brokers—play in structuring access and participation? 

We welcome applicants from both the social and the environmental sciences. Although the position states a Master's requirement for applicants, we may consider exceptions for highly qualified applicants who have work experience in the environmental or policy sector. 

Please feel free to share widely, and don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions. Operating on a rolling deadline. 

Sincerely,

Ritwick Ghosh

Assistant Professor

Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources

North Carolina State University

https://cnr.ncsu.edu/directory/rghosh9/

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FULLY FUNDED PHD POSITION

ASSESSING ACCESS TO US FOREST CARBON MARKETS

The Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources (FER) at North Carolina State University invites applications for a fully funded PhD Student to assess issues of access and participation in forest carbon markets. The objective of the project is to understand how competition to forest carbon markets is shaped by broader social, economic, ecological, and administrative factors and to explore how, if all, marketplaces can be more inclusive to a broader range of landholders. The PhD student will be expected to approach forest carbon offsets from an interdisciplinary lens, integrating concepts in political ecology, economics, and conservation social science.

The PhD student will be mentored by Dr. Ritwick Ghosh, Dr. Meredith Martin, Dr. Rajan Parajuli, and other faculty at NC State. A graduate advisory committee will be formed to guide the development of a plan of work, including coursework and dissertation research. The student will be expected to work independently, but also work in a team, carving out their individual contribution in the context of a larger research program. The PhD Student would be expected to use mixed research methods such as case studies, interviews, surveys, geo-spatial analysis, and statistics.

The graduate research assistantship will include a competitive stipend, tuition remission, and health insurance, as provided by the Graduate Student Support Plan through the Graduate School at NC State.  The assistantship is renewable for up to four years, contingent upon satisfactory performance and continued availability of funds. Limited funding may be available to support student research, travel, and attendance at professional meetings.

Position start date: January 2026 | Application Deadline: Rolling

Required qualifications:

●      Master’s degree, preferably in Environmental Studies/Sciences, Public Policy, Sociology, Economics, or Science and Technology Studies (STS).  

●      Working knowledge of contemporary environmental policy and conservation debates.

●      Strong oral and written communication skills in English.

●      Ability to work independently and be self-motivated.

Desired qualifications:

●      Experience working in the public or private sector. Background in policy, conservation, or international institutions will be helpful.

●      A track record in undertaking research.

Application process: Interested applicants should email Dr. Ghosh (rgh...@ncsu.edu). In your email, please attach a CV, a short paragraph of interest, and a writing sample. At a later stage, a formal application will be required through the Graduate School at NCSU. For more information on the application process, please visit: https://cnr.ncsu.edu/fer/graduate/application-process/  

 

ABOUT NCSU

Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources (FER)

FER is one of the oldest and largest departments of its kind in the US. From its early strengths in forestry, FER has evolved into an inter-disciplinary space for research and teaching in all aspects of environmental science, conservation, and policy. Graduate students work alongside world-renowned faculty on groundbreaking research projects, help manage and implement extension programs, teach undergraduates, and pursue their own original research projects.

College of Natural Resources (CNR)

CNR is a world leader in the sustainable use of natural resources. CNR’s comprehensive approach to teaching, research and service encompasses the many and varied ways in which people’s physical, economic and social needs are met through the wise use of natural resources. CNR is committed to interdisciplinary research, teaching and engagement, as nurturing and enjoying the environment and engineering sustainable products go hand-in-hand with helping communities and enterprises thrive. The faculty, staff, students and alumni of CNR are discovering and sharing real-world solutions to real world problems every day.

NC State Campus and Community

Campus life at NC State is lively and varied. It offers numerous opportunities for students and employees hoping to build a rewarding and well-balanced life. This is a highly diverse and international campus, with a student body representing over 100 countries. The university is located in Raleigh, NC, consistently rated as one of the nation’s best places to live, work, and play!