We are seeking applications for the Midwest Climate Adaptation Science Center (Midwest CASC) Graduate Assistantship for the 2026-27 academic year (Sept 2026-August 2027). Current or incoming UW-Madison Ph.D. or M.S. students pursuing research applicable to the mission of the Midwest CASC are eligible for consideration. One one-year research assistantship, which includes tuition, will be awarded. Graduate students who are interested in working with state, federal, non-governmental, and tribal natural resource managers to create actionable science are particularly encouraged to apply. The University of Wisconsin-Madison is part of the USGS Midwest CASC consortium. The mission of the Midwest CASC is to advance adaptation science and practice needed to address climate change threats to natural and cultural resources of the Midwest region. The Midwest CASC provides opportunities for research to support climate adaptation decision-making, training related to climate adaptation, researcher-stakeholder networking, and community engagement. To learn more about the Midwest CASC and currently funded projects, please visit the USGS Midwest CASC website.
GUIDELINES
Required:
- Pursuing research applicable to the mission of the Midwest
- Participation in Midwest CASC training and educational opportunities (e.g., annual gatherings, online seminars). Graduate advisor acknowledges assistantship support and agrees to enable participation.
- Current or incoming UW-Madison D. or M.S. student.
Preferred:
- Interest in contributing to the capacity-building aims of the Midwest
- Past or current experience working with conservation agencies and/or tribal entities engaged in climate change science and adaptation.
- Additional project support contributed from advisor or other departmental
How To Apply:
Applications should submit a 2-page (max) letter of interest and a Resume/CV as a single PDF to Kelly O’Ferrell (oferrell@wisc.edu). We also ask that the student’s faculty adviser send a letter of support to Kelly O’Ferrell (oferrell@wisc.edu). Application deadline is 07/06/2026. (Effective July 3rd, the deadline date was changed from July 3 to July 6.)
The letter of interest should describe the research that will be pursued and how this research is applicable to the mission of the Midwest CASC. Graduate advisors should provide a letter of support that describes how the CASC assistantship would benefit the student and how it would fit into the overall funding plan. The advisor’s letter should also indicate that they will enable student participation in Midwest CASC training and educational opportunities. Questions can be directed to Prof. Jake Vander Zanden (mjvanderzand@wisc.edu) or Prof. Ben Zuckerberg (bzuckerberg@wisc.edu).
Support is provided by the Midwest CASC and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education with funding from the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation.