MS position at U of Illinois on Adoption of windbreaks in the Corn Belt
Chloe Wardropper
Graduate Research Assistant position in Environmental Social Science at University of Illinois: Adoption of windbreaks in the Corn Belt
Major Advisor: Dr. Chloe Wardropper, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
I am accepting applications for a Master’s-level graduate research assistant position on a project led by the Savanna Institute titled “Corn Belt Windbreaks: From Dust Bowl Relic to Climate-Smart Solution.” Ideal start date is August 2026.
Project description: Originally planted for wind erosion control, windbreaks may deliver many additional, unquantified benefits. Research from the Great Plains suggests windbreaks can increase adjacent crop yields, but research in the Corn Belt, where conditions differ, is scant. The research team is investigating potential effects of windbreaks on crop yield, profit, and other ecosystem services like nutrient loss reduction. In addition, Wardropper and the graduate student hired for this position will conduct participatory qualitative research with farmers and other agricultural stakeholders in Illinois and Iowa to understand perceived challenges and opportunities to windbreak adoption.
Desired qualifications:
- Undergraduate degree with coursework in environmental studies and social sciences (e.g., sociology, geography, political science, and/or psychology)
- Experience with aspects of qualitative social science data collection and analysis (e.g., conducting interviews, leading focus groups, and analyzing transcripts)
- Excellent writing, communication, and organizational skills.
- Ability to work independently and collaborate with diverse members of a research team.
- Interest in (and ideally experience with) agricultural systems.
Support: The successful candidate will receive full tuition, a 9-month academic year stipend, 2-month summer stipend, and health insurance. Funding will come from a combination of research assistant and teaching assistant appointments for the duration of the degree given satisfactory performance.
About the place: UIUC is the land grant and sea grant university for Illinois and we prioritize both basic and applied research and are ranked as number 15 of public universities by the 2021-22 U.S. News & World Report of America’s Best College rankings. The College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences has local and global impact in environmental systems and sustainability. The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is in adjacent small cities in central Illinois, with close access to natural areas and the diverse cities of Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis. For more information about living and working in the area, see: https://www.visitchampaigncounty.org/ and https://www.smilepolitely.com/
How to Apply: I will consider applications on a rolling basis, but submissions by early October will be prioritized. Please send the following items in a single PDF file to Dr. Chloe Wardropper at chl...@illinois.edu: (1) A cover letter (1-2pp) describing your qualifications, including academic and professional preparation, career goals, and interest in the project, (2) CV, (3) names and contact information for 2 references (you will be informed before they are contacted). Please also include a PDF or link to a writing sample. Candidates must be prepared to submit full application materials to the NRES graduate program by Dec. 15 if chosen as a top candidate. For more information about the degree program, see: https://nres.illinois.edu/academics/graduate-degrees. Contact Dr. Wardropper with questions or to discuss potential fit at chl...@illinois.edu.
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CHLOE B. WARDROPPER
(she/her)
Assistant Professor of Natural Resource Policy and Sustainable Landscapes
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences
College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES)
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
W-425 Turner Hall, Urbana, IL 61801
Phone: 217-333-7268 | email: chl...@illinois.edu