Category: Research Opportunities – Graduate School

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Ph.D. position: microplastics in snow Reno, NV USA

The Microplastics Lab at the Desert Research Institute (DRI) is recruiting two PhD students to study microplastics and snow hydrology. This successful applicant will be enrolled in the Graduate Program of Hydrologic Sciences (GPHS) at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR).

Position: The students will study microplastics deposited within snow-dominated montane watersheds during periods of snow accumulation and melt in the Sierra Nevada of California and Nevada. These findings will be used to determine the sources of microplastics in the remote environment and their downstream fate in vulnerable, semi-arid watersheds.  As part of an ongoing DRI education activity, their research findings will be integrated into a middle school mobile teaching kit, to engage students in cutting-edge science at the middle school level.

Preferred Qualifications: An undergraduate or MS degree in geology and/or hydrology (or related field) with an interest in: fieldwork, analytical laboratory work, microplastics, snow hydrology, and/or water quality.

Please visit the lab website (https://www.dri.edu/labs/microplastics/) for information about our research program and the University of Nevada Reno Graduate Program of Hydrologic Sciences website (https://www.unr.edu/hydrologic-sciences) for information about the program and application process.  Applications must be received by January 5th for fall 2021 admission. Prospective applicants are asked to contact Dr. Monica Arienzo for further information (monica.arienzo@dri.edu<mailto:monica.arienzo@dri.edu>).

In partnership between DRI and UNR, the Graduate Program of Hydrologic Sciences is one of the most well-established interdisciplinary programs of its kind in North America. The mission of the GPHS is provide outstanding academic training for students to become the hydrologists and hydrogeologists who will understand and address critical water challenges facing the world. The Program focuses on studies of water in the environment including its surface and subsurface roles in geologic and biogeochemical processes, ecosystem functions, and climate science.

This position is based in Reno NV, a wonderful city to live in, with its bike paths, the Truckee River, access to world-class skiing, hiking, mountain biking and trail running, and a well-connected airport. Reno is also located close to Lake Tahoe, Yosemite National Park, and Lassen National Park.

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Two PhD positions on studying boreal forest fires at University of Alaska Fairbanks

Two funded PhD positions are available at University of Alaska Fairbanks, to study boreal forest fires and its impact on climate and air quality. We are looking for 2 PhD students to join our group, to study boreal forest fires and its impact on climate and air quality. The first position is to measure and model brown carbon (BrC) from boreal fires, and the second position is to use NASA satellites, chemical transport models and ground-based measurements to improve surface PM2.5 forecast during fire season in Alaska! Applicants with background in atmospheric chemistry measurements (PILS, ACSM, etc.) and modeling (GEOS-Chem, AM3/4, MOZART, WRF-CHEM, CMAQ, MCM etc.) are preferred.


Prospective students should send me an email at jmao2@alaska.edu, with a complete CV and a paragraph describing your research interests. Further information about our group can be found here (https://atmoschem.community.uaf.edu/).The PhD positions can start as soon as the summer of 2021. Please contact me immediately if you are interested.
Jingqiu Mao
Assistant Professor
Geophysical Institute, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Fairbanks, AK 99775

Phone: 907-474-7118Email: jmao2@alaska.edu
Website: https://atmoschem.community.uaf.edu/

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Find Paid Summer STEM Research – NSF, NASA, NIH, USDA . . .

PathwaysToScience.org

Paid Summer Research Programs!

Most programs offer both a stipend and housing and travel support. Programs range across all STEM disciplines and all areas of the country! Deadlines are coming right up for most programs!

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Awards for Geochronology Student Research

The next AGeS (Awards for Geochronology Student Research) Program deadline is Feb 1, 2021. AGeS plans to make 18-20 awards averaging ~$8500 each. AGeS seeks to fund broadly in terms of research, geochronologic technique, and participants. Proposals will be evaluated not only based on overall significance, design, and logistical plan, but also on the degree to which the project will expand access to geochronology and build new networks.

AGeS2 offers support for graduate students in the U.S. to develop the scientific rationale for projects involving geochronology, and then provides them with hands-on experience acquiring data in labs, all while being mentored by geochronologists. AGeS awardees visit a U.S. geochronology lab for a week or more, participate in sample preparation and analysis, and learn fundamental aspects of the methods, techniques, and theory used in modern analytical facilities. Awards can be used to fund analytical costs, sample preparation, travel to the host geochronology lab, lodging, and other expenses.

Applicants must be graduate students at an accredited college or university in the U.S. or its territories. Any lab in the U.S. or its territories can participate. The study areas of AGeS projects can be located anywhere worldwide.

There are 57 AGeS labs and 96 geochronologists available for potential collaborations, with detailed information about each lab listed on the AGeS website. We recommend that applicants contact a preferred lab about potential projects as early as possible because each lab may support a maximum of 4 projects each application cycle.


For additional program details please see the AGeS2 website at:  http://www.geosociety.org/ages

Cheers,

AGeS Steering Committee

Becky Flowers (CU)
Ramon Arrowsmith (ASU)

Vicki McConnell (GSA)

Jim Metcalf (CU)

Tammy Rittenour (USU)

Blair Schoene (Princeton)

Kathy Surpless (Trinity)
—
“Keep Hope Alive”

—
Diana Dalbotten Diversity Director National Center for Earth-surface Dynamics St. Anthony Falls Laboratory University of Minnesota 612-624-4608 dianad@umn.edu

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Graduate research assistantship available in urban remote sensing at the University of Alabama in Huntsville

Hu’s Urban Remote Sensing Lab (https://huleiqiu.wordpress.com/research/) has one GRA position open at the master’s or Ph.D. level beginning as soon as the summer of 2021. 

Hu’s lab primarily focuses on the interaction of humans, the land surface, and the atmosphere in complex and changing urban environments, and seeks to improve our understanding of urban environmental changes and urban climate under the context of rapid urbanization and changing climate for sustainable urban development. The lab uses traditional and advanced remote sensing and develops advanced geospatial analytic approaches for applications in cities worldwide. This NASA-funded position will support research on urban effects on hydrometeorological cycles using multiple sources of remote sensing products. The graduate student will work closely with Dr. Leiqiu Hu and have the opportunity to collaborate with other researchers from multiple universities on this collaborative and interdisciplinary project.

Requirements
The prospective candidate is expected to have strong quantitative background training in one or more of the following areas: remote sensing, climatology, geostatistics, big data analytics, or other related physical sciences. Familiarity with at least one programming language (R, Python, MATLAB, etc.) is highly desirable. The potential candidate is expected to have strong written and verbal communication skills in English. 

About UAH
The University of Alabama in Huntsville is a research-intensive, internationally recognized university with strong ties to NASA Earth sciences through the co-located National Space Science and Technology Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The department has two master programs in Atmospheric Science (ATS) and Earth System Science (ESS), and one Ph.D. program in ATS, which enables students to gain not only an understanding of the physics of the climate system and the environment but also a working hands-on knowledge of how data and information is used to aid decision-makers.
Information on applying to UAH graduate programs in the graduate programs at UAH: https://www.uah.edu/admissions/graduate/apply-for-admission

The applicants are highly encouraged to contact Dr. Leiqiu Hu (leiqiu.hu at uah.edu) with a copy of updated CV, unofficial transcripts, examples of publications if applicable, and contacts of three referees. Note that the GRE score has been waived until Fall 2021. For more information about the Earth System Science or Atmospheric Science programs and research opportunities, please contact Dr. Leiqiu Hu (leiqiu.hu at uah.edu) as well. The University of Alabama in Huntsville is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Females, Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities.  

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MS Positions in Aquatic Biogeochemistry and Remote Sensing of the Cryosphere

Two MS positions in Aquatic Biogeochemistry and Remote Sensing of the Cryosphere available for Fall 2021 in the Department of Environmental Sciences at Western Washington University

Responsibilities: The successful candidates will examine biogeochemistry of snow, ice, and melt water of the cryosphere of the Pacific Northwest and/or Arctic Sea Ice. These positions will come with two academic years of support as a teaching and/or research assistant within the Department of Environmental Sciences. Research projects will involve local fieldwork at Mt. Baker and the North Cascade Mountains, as well as analytical laboratory work for biogeochemical analyses. One position will focus on a NASA funded project to quantify impacts of deposition of black carbon on Arctic sea ice. The second position will focus on quantifying impacts of snow algae on snow and ice albedo in the Pacific Northwest.

Benefits: 12 month Academic Year Stipend, Full Tuition Payment, and Health Coverage.

Minimum Qualifications

Meet academic admission requirements of the MS, Environmental Sciences department: https://huxley.wwu.edu/graduate-application-information.
Ability to conduct fieldwork
Analytical laboratory experience

Preferred Qualifications

Strong interest and experience in biogeochemistry and the cryosphere
Teaching/mentoring experience in an academic or experiential setting
Field work experience in mountain or polar environments
Experience with ArcGIS and working with remote sensing imagery
Programming experience with Python and/or Matlab
Strong writing and organizational skills

Huxley College Department of Environmental Science: Western’s Huxley College of the Environment is the oldest interdisciplinary environmental studies college in the U.S. Huxley’s academic programs reflect a broad view of the physical, biological, social and cultural world. The department offers degrees in Environmental Science at the undergraduate and master’s level, https://huxley.wwu.edu/ms-environmental-science.

About Western Washington University (WWU): WWU serves about 16,000 students and is located in beautiful Bellingham, a town midway between Seattle, Washington and Vancouver, British Columbia, with approximately 90,000 residents. Bellingham is situated along the Pacific Northwest coast with close proximity to the San Juan Islands, Mt. Baker and the North Cascade Mountains, offering numerous opportunities for outdoor activities including sea kayaking, sailing, skiing, biking, and hiking.

How to Apply: Applications to the Department of Environmental Science at WWU are due February 1st, 2021: https://huxley.wwu.edu/graduate-application-information. For these positions, please send a CV and statement of interest to: alia.khan@wwu.edu. To be formally accepted, a full application must be submitted by the deadline, with a note of interest to this position.

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Postdoc and Graduate Student Opportunity

These postdoc and graduate student opportunities might be of interest. The postdoc position has a very flexible start date, and the candidate does not need to check all these boxes. It’s our “wish” list. 😊

Regards,

Morteza Karimzadeh, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Geography
Affiliate Assistant Professor, Computer Science, Information Science
University of Colorado Boulder
Traditional Territories of the Arapaho, Cheyenne and Ute Nations

Transdisciplinary Postdoctoral Research Associate Position in Spatial Data Science and Geoscience

University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO

Starting date (very flexible): 1/7/2021

Application review begins December 7, 2020 on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

We invite applications for a postdoctoral research associate position at the Department of Geography, University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder), with a flexible starting date of 1/7/2021 and possibility for remote work, although the ability to work on the CU Boulder campus in the long term is desirable. The initial offer is for 12 months, with potential for renewal contingent upon favorable progress.

The postdoctoral scholar will primarily work on a recently funded NSF EarthCube project (Data Capabilities: Enabling Analysis of Heterogeneous, Multi-source Cryospheric Data, Award# 2026962) under the supervision of principal investigator, Dr. Morteza Karimzadeh. The project is focused on creating software systems and cyber-infrastructure for harmonizing heterogeneous big data products (including satellite imagery and in situ observations) in a cloud environment for various downstream tasks. The technologies developed are expected to be extendable to a variety of applications, but for this project, the focus will be on classification and mapping of sea ice.

Sea ice is an important component of the climate system and a key indicator of climate change. Sea ice is spatiotemporally dynamic, exhibiting a variety of evolving ice types that need classification for scientific analysis or operational planning. The mapping of sea ice at high spatial and temporal resolutions remains a scientific challenge. With the increasing availability of high-resolution remote sensing products such as SAR and lidar, there is a renewed desire for tackling this challenge. However, bridging data science and geoscience is key in successfully harnessing these large heterogeneous data for sea ice mapping.

The postdoctoral position will be homed in the Geography Department at CU Boulder and will actively collaborate with the co-PIs, scientists and students in the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) and CU Denver’s Department of Computer Science.

The postdoc duties will include:

Design and implement software and computational modules in collaboration with the team’s sea ice scientists, remote sensing experts, and spatial data scientists.
Draft and lead scholarly publications and reports.
Assist the PI with leading research activities within the group and project management.
Assist the PI with user evaluations and stakeholder engagement at NSIDC, NOAA, NCAR, the U.S. National Ice Center (NIC) and the Canadian Ice Service (CIS).
Assist in supervising graduate and undergraduate students in the team.
Assist in drafting successful research grant proposals.
Interface with other research groups at and beyond the NSF EarthCube community and the University of Colorado.
Work with research assistants to prepare training and outreach material, including easy-to-use Jupyter notebooks for product adoption.
Given the transdisciplinary nature of this postdoctoral position, we expect that the candidate has foundation in either one or both spatial data science and/or geosciences, with the position strengthening the postdoc’s expertise in both disciplines.

The qualified candidate will possess a majority of the following, with interest in developing the rest:

A Ph.D. in geography, geoscience, computer science, information science, statistics, or a cognate field is mandatory.
Research background and expertise in applied machine learning and particularly, deep learning.
Background and experience working with, spatial data, geographic information systems and earth observations.
Familiarity with passive and active microwave imagery, airborne and spaceborne lidar altimetry is desirable (examples include SAR imagery from Sentinel-1, lidar altimetry data from Operation IceBridge, ICESat and ICESat-2, and radar altimetry data from CryoSat-2).
Programming skills in Python, Scikit-learn and deep learning libraries (TensorFlow, or Keras or PyTorch). Working ability with R and its spatial packages is a plus.
Interest or background in visual analytics for interactive machine learning is desirable.
Experience working with cloud storage and compute instances is desirable.
Experience in working with the output of climate models is desirable.
Front-end development and visualization skills using D3.js, leaflet.js and the React framework is desirable.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Both beginning and senior postdoctoral candidates are encouraged to apply. To apply, please upload your CV, a research statement (no more than one page) and the contact information of references to the application portal:

https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/Postdoctoral-Associate/27487

Please direct your questions to Dr. Morteza Karimzadeh (karimzadeh@colorado.edu). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis starting December 7, 2020 until the position is filled.

MS/PhD positions

Funded MSc/PhD positions are available in Dr. Morteza Karimzadeh’s research group at the Department of Geography, University of Colorado Boulder, starting Fall 2021. The application deadline is December 1, 2020. The positions are supported through TA and RA appointments.

The successful candidates will join a vibrant and growing team of graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. Our current spatial data science projects intersect with geovisual analytics, GeoAI and spatial statistics in a variety of domains including sea ice mapping and cryospheric data fusion, quantitative analysis of human mobility, geo-text analysis of various organizational and archival textual sources, and modeling spatial connectivity and dependence.

Details about the program can be found here. Please also note that we have a graduate application fee waiver for under-represented minority applicants and applicants with financial need.

For inquiries, please feel free to contact karimzadeh@colorado.edu with your CV, explaining how your research expertise or interests may align with the team, and what potential areas you’d be interested in working on in the future.