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Apply Now: Ph.D. Research Assistantship to Study Opioid Risks in Non‐Metropolitan Communities

Author: ramiller | Image: ramiller

Dr. David PetersA new Ph.D. research assistantship is available in the Department of Sociology at Iowa State University. This assistantship will be funded as part of a new project identifying and disseminating effective place-based strategies to reduce opioid risks and hazards in rural and micropolitan communities experiencing social disorganization due to economic and farm restructuring. The assistantship will be part of an interdisciplinary team from rural sociology, public health, criminology, and computer science. The student will gain experience in data management and statistical modeling, qualitative interviews and case study analysis, and engagement with stakeholders across the nation.

The successful applicant will have a Master’s Degree in sociology or related field; knowledge of rural sociology or community criminology; a strong background in quantitative methods; and a willingness to learn qualitative techniques and apply them in the field.

The position begins in fall semester 2018 and is funded for three years. The 12-month 0.5 FTE assistantship provides a stipend, full tuition waiver, and benefits including health insurance. Opportunities for professional development are encouraged, including contributing to peer- reviewed publications and presentations at professional meetings. In addition to the research assistantship, the student will be expected to develop a dissertation related to the project to fulfill requirements for the Ph.D. in Rural Sociology or Sociology.

Interested applicants should apply for admission to the graduate program in either Rural Sociology or Sociology at Iowa State University by January 31, 2018. In addition, applicants should send a curriculum vita and cover letter describing their interests and qualifications for the assistantship to Dr. David Peters (dpeters@iastate.edu) by the same deadline. Additional information about the department and graduate program can be found on the Iowa State Sociology website at http://www.soc.iastate.edu.