We are recruiting a PhD student to begin at the University of Rhode Island in the Fall 2023 semester. SCIP is an ambitious project to develop a novel science communication training curriculum based in intercultural communication theory, especially related to identity.

While not required, the ideal student would have familiarity with mixed methods in social science and/or some experience with program evaluation.

We will provide two years of academic-year support in a full-time Graduate Research Assistantship (20 hours/week) as part of SCIP, as well as three years of summer support (20 hours/week). The GRA will support project evaluation under the guidance of the SCIP post-doctoral scholar, Dr. Evelyn Valdez-Ward, Dr. Sunshine Menezes, and Dr. Bruno Takahashi. If accepted into URI’s Biological and Environmental Sciences program (see below), the student will be eligible for two years of support as a teaching assistant in subsequent years. 

Given SCIP’s aim to explore and embrace intersectional identities as part of science communication training, we strongly encourage applications from students with the potential to bring a critical perspective to their research that comes from their non-traditional educational background or their understanding of the experiences of members of groups historically under-represented or marginalized in higher education.

This student would most likely apply via the Biological and Environmental Sciences (BES) program at URI, specifically in the Environmental and Earth Sciences specialization. That said, we will consider students who wish to pursue a PhD in a related program at URI.

Applications are due via the URI Graduate School portal by January 15, 2023. Note that the BES application deadline is listed as December 15, 2022, on the URI Graduate School website, but applications received by January 15 will be considered. 

Any interested students should feel free to contact Dr. Menezes with questions via email: sunshine@uri.edu.