Job Overview:
The University of Louisville Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering is seeking a graduate assistant who wishes to pursue a PhD in the field of water resources, with a focus in hydrology and water quality.
The graduate assistantship is fully funded and covers tuition, a stipend, and health insurance. The position is to start in either the Spring or Fall of 2022.
Job Duties:
The student will work in Dr. Tyler Mahoney’s ecohydrology environmental modeling and monitoring laboratory (see Dr. Mahoney’s Google Scholar page here ). Dr. Mahoney’s research focuses on understanding the spatial and temporal controls of hydrologic, sediment, and nutrient cascades at variable scales. Dr. Mahoney utilizes process-based numerical models and novel sensing/tracing technologies to investigate transport mechanisms of water, sediment, and nutrients within watersheds and how anthropogenic stressors impact such processes.
The student will be expected to leverage similar tools to conduct novel research related to hydrologic, sediment, and nutrient transport and connectivity. Additionally, the student will be expected to communicate research findings to broader engineering and water resources communities and collaborate with researchers both within the University of Louisville and at other research institutions.
Responsibilities and Qualifications:
Relevant tasks include: 1) leveraging numerical models and statistics to understand hydrologic, sediment, and biogeochemical processes; 2) communicating research findings via scientific journal articles, 3) utilizing novel water quality sensors and tracing technology to monitor hydrologic, sediment, and nutrient transport, 4) taking graduate classes related to water resources, numerical methods, and hydrologic modeling, and 5) presenting research at local, national, and international conferences. The student is expected to meet weekly with Dr. Mahoney to discuss research progress.
Successful candidates will have the following qualifications: 1) excellent written and verbal communication skills, 2) a strong understanding of hydrology and hydrologic processes, environmental science, or similar natural resource related disciplines, 3) a basic ability to code (e.g., MATLAB, Python, R) and utilize software such as GIS, 4) basic understanding of calculus, physics, numerical methods, and statistics, and 5) the ability to effectively collaborate as well as work independently. Preference will be given to students who have previously earned a MS degree in the field of water resources or a similar discipline with desire to pursue a PhD. Students should have the ability to obtain a valid driver’s license in the United States and the ability to conduct field work as required.
Application:
Applicants are asked to submit the following material to Dr. Mahoney: 1) a one-page cover letter discussing your interest in the graduate assistantship, career goals, and qualifications; 2) a resume or CV detailing previous experience and relevant skills; and 3) an unofficial transcript that highlights relevant classes taken. Review for applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. Please direct questions to Dr. Mahoney: [email protected] .
For more information on degree requirements and required qualifications for admission to the University of Louisville, prospective students are encouraged to visit the University of Louisville’s Civil Engineering PhD program overview at the following link .