I am recruiting a funded M.S. student to join my research group at Virginia Tech beginning Spring 2027.
The research will focus on Environmental & Resource Economics — Energy and Sustainability Applications, with initial work examining the economics of forest-based bioenergy and sustainable forest utilization.
I am particularly interested in applicants with strong preparation in economics and quantitative analysis, including students from economics, agricultural/applied economics, environmental and resource economics, public policy, or related fields.
The student will develop a thesis project involving areas such as economic valuation, benefit–cost and social welfare analysis, environmental and public-health externalities, uncertainty analysis, and policy interpretation.
Interested candidates should review the attached announcement and submit a complete application for Spring 2027 admission through the Virginia Tech Graduate School by the applicable deadline.
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TITLE:
Funded M.S. Research Assistantship - Environmental & Resource Economics (Energy & Sustainability) - Spring 2027 - Virginia Tech
DESCRIPTION:
Funded M.S. Research Assistantship - Virginia Tech - Spring 2027
Environmental & Resource Economics — Energy and Sustainability Applications
Department of Sustainable Biomaterials | Virginia Tech
I am seeking a highly motivated M.S. student with strong preparation in economics and quantitative analysis for a two-year funded research assistantship beginning Spring 2027.
Research Focus:
The student will join an interdisciplinary team examining how energy, environmental, and natural-resource decisions affect economic welfare, public health, and sustainability.
Initial research will focus on the economics of forest-based bioenergy and sustainable forest utilization, including:
• Incorporating environmental & public-health externalities into economic decision-making
• Benefits, costs, and opportunity costs of alternative energy pathways
• How economic and health outcomes change when forest bioenergy substitutes for fossil fuels vs. other renewables
• Robustness of economic and policy conclusions under uncertainty
The thesis will emphasize economic valuation, benefit-cost and social welfare analysis, uncertainty/sensitivity analysis, and policy interpretation.
Desired Background:
Economics, Agricultural/Applied Economics, Environmental & Resource Economics, Public Policy with strong economics training, or related fields.
Strong foundation in microeconomics, environmental/resource economics, statistics/econometrics, welfare economics, externalities, and benefit-cost analysis preferred.
Experience with R, Python, Stata, MATLAB, or similar quantitative tools for empirical data analysis is highly valued.
Support: Stipend + tuition support per Virginia Tech policies, contingent on satisfactory progress.
How to Apply:
Submit a complete application for Spring 2027 admission through the Virginia Tech Graduate School by the program deadline
Select Forestry and Forest Products (M.S.) program
Indicate in your materials your interest in working with Dr. Ching-Hsun Huang
Clearly describe your research interests/fit, preparation in economics & quantitative methods, and relevant analytical experience.
Only applicants who submit a complete Graduate School application will be considered. Due to anticipated volume, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.
Contact: Dr. Ching-Hsun Huang - chinghuang@vt.edu
Professor, Department of Sustainable Biomaterials, Virginia Tech
