PhD Student Opportunity: Geospatial Cognition, Disaster Science, & Emergency Management at Oklahoma State University
We are actively recruiting a funded, in-residence PhD student to join the Geospatial Cognition Lab at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater for a Spring or Fall 2027 start.
About the Program & Lab
The student will pursue a PhD in Fire & Emergency Management Administration (FEMP) while conducting geographic and spatial-cognition research through the Geospatial Cognition Lab. This is not a traditional Geography PhD, but may be a strong fit for students interested in applying spatial cognition, behavioral geography, human factors, or related approaches to emergency response environments. Current research includes firefighter navigation and spatial thinking, disorientation, and spatial decision making, using field-based data collection, surveys, and spatial analysis.
FEMP is a unique, multidisciplinary program: we have a small collaborative group of in-residence graduate students in Stillwater, alongside a network of over 130 remote MS and PhD students from across North America and abroad. All FEMP courses are taught in a live, hybrid format (in-person and Zoom), blending academic mentorship with direct networking alongside your practitioner-peers.
Qualifications & Preferred Skills
Applicants with backgrounds in geography, emergency management, disaster science, psychology, human factors, sociology, or related fields are encouraged to apply. A master's degree is required for admission to the PhD program. Previous research experience is preferred, but a strong willingness to learn is just as valuable. Additional preferred skills include:
- Spatial analysis and a baseline understanding of GIS
- Familiarity with mixed-methods research, experimental design, or survey methodology
- Interest in spatial cognition, navigation, human factors, or emergency-response research
- Proficiency in R and/or Python, particularly for data visualization or analysis
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
Funding
This position comes with guaranteed funding for the first two years. Additional support is available through teaching assistantships across the Program and College, as well as externally funded research projects.
How to Apply
Interested students should review the Lab (geospatialcognitionlab.com) and FEMP program (femp.okstate.edu) websites to see if our work and program structure align with their academic goals. Please be prepared to provide your master's information and a 300 to 500 word statement addressing your research interests, relevant experience, and why the Geospatial Cognition Lab and interdisciplinary FEMP PhD are a good fit for your goals. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. To express interest, please complete this short interest form.