Title: Nunn Family Fellow, Graduate Research Assistant
Compensation: estimated $15,642 academic year stipend (9 months, 20 hrs./ week contract) + tuition, fees and fringe benefits ($11,955)= total package: $27,517/yr
Organization: University of Wyoming, Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources
Location: Laramie, WY, with occasional regional travel across Wyoming
Duration: Position begins August 2026, funding covers Academic years 2026-2027 and 2027-2028. The fellowship will support your pursuit of a Master of Science in Environment, Natural Resources and Society under the mentorship of Dr. Grete Gansauer.
Application review begins April 17, 2026
Position Overview:
The inaugural Nunn Family Fellowship will support a Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) to lead a community-engaged research project examining sustainability challenges in rural solid waste systems and recycling programs in Eastern Wyoming, with the aim of generating policy recommendations. Rural solid waste processing poses a ‘wicked problem’ across Wyoming as small population bases, long transport distances, and limited local capacity make it difficult to implement environmentally sustainable and socially acceptable solutions. The GRA will contribute to a mixed-methods case study of the eastern Wyoming rural-regional waste system with a goal of understanding economic, environmental, social-cultural, and governance challenges which shape solid waste systems in the region. The project builds upon ongoing partnerships with the City of Douglas and will aim to produce actionable policy recommendations to improve rural solid waste processing and recycling access in Wyoming. The GRA will be mentored by Dr. Grete Gansauer and will contribute to her lab’s research on rural community sustainability and regional development in Wyoming, with a focus on sustaining essential public services in the Foundational Economy. The student will gain training in qualitative and applied research methods including stakeholder interviews, policy analysis, community-engaged participatory research, and working in cross-sectoral partnerships with local governments and NGOs. This position is well-suited to students interested in rural development, public administration, environmental policy, sustainability, or applied, community-based research.
Required Qualifications:
• Eligibility for the MS in Environment, Natural Resources and Society program at the Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources. Details here.
• Strong interest and/or background in geography, rural communities/development, sustainability, environmental policy, social sciences, public administration or related field
• Ability to work independently while engaging collaboratively with faculty mentors and community partners; demonstrated experience working collaboratively in teams
• Strong written and verbal communication skills. Strong attention to detail.
Preferred qualifications:
• Prior experience working with social science research methods including content analysis, interviewing, focus groups, observation.
• Experience or interest in community-engaged participatory research, co-creation or knowledge and solutions to ‘wicked problems’
• Experience or interest in working with diverse stakeholder groups and viewpoints, especially in rural contexts
Additional requirements:
Formal application and admission to the Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources at the University of Wyoming is required subsequent to selection of the successful candidate. GRE scores are not required. The position will start with the academic year, August 2026 in Laramie, WY. Questions about the MS program generally can be directed to Nicole Gautier, ngautier@uwyo.edu.
How to apply:
Please send the following materials in one PDF document to Dr. Grete Gansauer at grete.gansauer@uwyo.edu with the subject “MS Position, Your Name”. This packet should include:
- Cover letter/narrative (1-2 pages) that articulates your interest in this position, your career goals, and why this opportunity will help you fulfill them. Please highlight your relevant skills and experience.
- Resume or CV including degree(s) earned (and/or expected completion date, if currently enrolled), undergraduate GPA, and contact information for at least two references