Jobs: PhD Level Graduate Students

 

Soil-Watershed PhD Student

Position ID: GRA#001

We seek an enthusiastic and motivated student with expertise in biogeochemistry, soil science, catchment hydrology or related fields with a focus on exploring the biogeochemical linkages between terrestrial and aquatic systems during extreme climate events. The student’s dissertation research will utilize an advanced in-situ riparian soil and stream monitoring network to develop and address fundamental research questions regarding environmental controls on nutrient (P, N, Fe) and carbon efflux from landscape to streams in forested and agricultural catchments of the Lake Champlain Basin.  Basic dissertation research questions will focus on the drivers of the response of soil and stream water quality to extreme events, such as antecedent conditions, phenology, and event severity, and how these manifest in systems that differ in riparian zone configuration (e.g., poor- vs. well-drained riparian soils) in forested and agricultural catchments.

Qualifications:

Previous experiences working with in-situ sensors in soils and/or streams are desirable, and enthusiasm and physical capability to conduct field intensive research across a range of weather conditions are required. MS research experiences studying nutrient/carbon dynamics in forested and/or agricultural riparian soils and/or catchments are also preferable.

 

This position comes with a research assistantship that is renewable through May 2021. The position will begin on June 1, 2017, and applications will be considered until the position is filled. Please contact Carol Adair (Carol.Adair@uvm.edu) for more information. 

 

To apply:  please send CV, names and contact information for three references, and a cover letter outlining research interests, expertise and availability to epscor@uvm.edu and reference Position ID GRA#001.

 

 

 

Lake PhD Student

 

Position ID: GRA#002

 

We seek an enthusiastic and motivated student interested in nutrient biogeochemistry and limnology, who is interested in exploring how extreme events impact water quality/biogeochemistry in diverse lake systems of different trophic states and physical configurations. The student’s dissertation research will utilize an advanced in-situ lake monitoring network to develop and address fundamental research questions regarding the drivers of nutrient (P, N, Fe), carbon and phytoplankton response to such events.  Basic dissertation research questions will focus on environmental controls on the response of a lake to extreme events, such as antecedent conditions, phenology, and event severity and how these manifest in lake systems that differ in trophic state, watershed:lake area, and watershed landcover (forest vs. agricultural). 

 

Qualifications:  MS research experience working in similar biogeochemical systems is preferred. Experience working with and deploying in-situ sensors, as well as conducting advanced statistical analyses requisite for interpretation of large environmental datasets are desirable. Experience working on the water in marine or freshwater environments is required and operating and trailering small vessels is desirable. Enthusiasm to work extensively on the water across an array of weather conditions in the Vermont climate will be required for the candidate to be successful. Interaction with and active mentoring of undergraduate interns will be a critical responsibility of the successful candidate.

This position comes with a research assistantship that is renewable through May 2021. The position will begin on June 1, 2017, and applications will be considered until the position is filled. Please contact Andrew Schroth (Andrew.Schroth@uvm.edu) for more information.

To apply:  please send CV, names and contact information for three references, and a cover letter outlining research interests, expertise and availability to epscor@uvm.edu and reference Position ID GRA#002.

 

 

 

 

 

Climate Statistics PhD Student

Position ID: GRA#008

Vermont EPSCoR’s latest Track 1 award, Basin Resilience to Extreme Events, is recruiting for a number of positions within the next year to work on a cutting-edge, large-scale, interdisciplinary, NSF-funded study which will determine how the Lake Champlain Basin’s landscape, watershed and lake conditions respond to extreme weather events. We are seeking a PhD level Graduate Research Assistant, who will be responsible for i) statistical modeling of climate change projections in support of downstream models and ii) using these climate change projections to simulate forest dynamics in our New England study region. This GRA will require or develop technical expertise in R/Python, Bayesian statistics and running simulations models in a Linux-based high performance computing environment. It is expected that the successful applicant will have an undergraduate or Master’s degree in a quantitative or computational field.

Qualifications:   An undergraduate or Master’s degree in a quantitative or computational field, coursework in statistics, and knowledge/facility with a programming language.

This position comes with a research assistantship that is renewable through May 2021. The position will begin on June 1, 2017, and applications will be considered until the position is filled.

Questions can be directed to Arne Bomblies (Arne.Bomblies@uvm.edu).

To apply:  please send CV, names and contact information for three references, and a cover letter outlining research interests, expertise and availability to epscor@uvm.edu and reference Position ID GRA#008.

 

Computational Science, Engineering, Complex Systems, or Applied Mathematics PhD Student

Position ID: GRA#007

A Graduate Research Assistantship position is available at the University of Vermont as part of Vermont as part of an NSF-funded research project on Lake Champlain Basin Resilience to Extreme Events. Vermont EPSCoR’s latest Track 1 award is recruiting for this position within the next year to work on a cutting-edge, large-scale, interdisciplinary, NSF-funded study that will determine how the Lake Champlain Basin’s landscape, watershed and lake conditions respond to extreme weather events and will test policy scenarios for enhancing resilience using our comprehensive Integrated Assessment Model. As a member of the research team, you will participate in unique learning and professional development experiences and have access to significant resources including: Alan Alda Communicating Science workshops; undergraduate mentoring and training; and over 30 research colleagues spanning numerous disciplines including hydrology, limnology, geology, engineering, environmental resources, economics, public policy and community development.

Qualifications:   We seek students interested in pursuing PhD level research in the areas of computational science, engineering, complex systems, applied mathematics or related fields. A B.A., B.S. or M.S. in engineering, computer science, applied mathematics or related field with research interests in Scientific Computing, Multi-objective Optimization, Numerical solutions of Stochastic PDEs, Machine Learning, Uncertainty Quantification, applied to inter-disciplinary research that employs social and natural science and engineering.

This position comes with a research assistantship that is renewable through May 2021. The position will begin on January 15, 2019, or as soon as possible thereafter, and applications will be considered until the position is filled.

Questions can be directed to Asim Zia (Asim.Zia@uvm.edu).

To apply:  please send CV, names and contact information for three references, and a cover letter outlining research interests, expertise and availability to epscor@uvm.edu and reference Position ID GRA#007.

 

Position ID: GRA#003

Graduate Student Research Assistantship – PhD
 
Catchment Hydrology and Stormwater Management
Vermont EPSCoR Program, University of Vermont
 
A multi-year Graduate Research Assistantship position is available at the University of Vermont as part of a research study on Resilience to Extreme Events in Social Ecological Systems of the Lake Champlain Basin. We are seeking a student interested in pursuing PhD level research in the areas of catchment hydrology and stormwater management in the context of climate change impacts. Research will involve modeling (including programming) and field work components. Candidates should enjoy being part of an interdisciplinary team of researchers (i.e., faculty, graduate students, undergraduates, and stakeholders) working toward identifying strategies that improve water quality resilience within the Basin. Additional Information.
 
Qualifications: B.A., B.S. with published research experience, or M.S. in engineering, environmental science, or a related field. Research interests and previous experience should fall within the following fields: hydrology, land use, stormwater management, catchment hydrology, water quality, soil science, programming, and mathematical modeling.
 
A major goal of Vermont EPSCoR is workforce development, which means that the graduate students will be intensively mentored for success. PhD students should also expect to mentor undergraduate students during the summer research season. Individuals selected will be expected to interact substantially across the project. Start date January 2018 (may be flexible).
 
For questions, please email: epscor@uvm.edu
Applications should include a CV and cover letter, and be emailed to epscor@uvm.edu. For all inquiries and applications, please reference position number GRA#003.
 
Note that the successful candidate selected by EPSCoR will also need to be admitted to the UVM Graduate College.