Jobs:Job-01001

From CSDMS
PhD Student Opportunity - Impacts of Urbanization on Flooding from Tropical Cyclones
University of Iowa, Iowa, United States
Start reviewing process: 5 October 2019


IIHR – Hydroscience & Engineering and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Iowa seek a highly motivated PhD student to join Dr. Gabriele Villarini’s research group (http://www.gabrielevillarini.com). The research is part of a project funded by the National Science Foundation entitled “Quantification of the Impacts of Urban Areas on Heavy Rainfall and Flooding from North Atlantic Tropical Cyclones.” Building on a paper (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-018-0676-z) published in Nature last fall about the role of the City of Houston in exacerbating the flooding from Hurricane Harvey, the proposed research will focus on landfalling tropical cyclones impacting 12 major U.S. cities over a nearly 40-year period to examine the role played by urbanization in controlling the rainfall and flooding associated with these storms. The specific goals of the proposed research are to: 1) improve our understanding of the role of urban areas in modifying rainfall associated with U.S. landfalling tropical cyclones; 2) quantify the impacts of the cities in exacerbating flood response; and 3) characterize the urban signature in terms of the alteration of precipitation and runoff during the passage of tropical cyclones.


The student will receive a competitive salary and will receive full tuition support. Women and individuals representing underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply.


The selected student will be part of IIHR—Hydroscience & Engineering. After graduation, the student will have the distinction of being an alumnus of one of the oldest and most prestigious hydraulics laboratories in the world. Additionally, the student will be part of the Iowa Flood Center (IFC), the nation’s first academic center devoted to the study of floods.


The University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, Iowa, which has consistently been ranked one of the best college towns in America. It is a community built around higher education, with vibrant cultural opportunities and a long history of international connections, leadership, and accomplishment. Iowa City offers the safe, friendly quality of life for which the Midwest is known.


Qualifications: Candidates must have a degree in an engineering field, atmospheric or climate-related science. A background in hydrologic is preferred. Individuals with experience running WRF or a comparable model, good knowledge of computer programming (in particular R and Python), and comfort in Linux environment are strongly encouraged to apply.


Interested? Email me at gabriele-villarini@uiowa.edu and include the following material:

  1. Cover letter discussing research interests and relevant experience/background
  2. Resume
  3. Unofficial transcripts and/or GRE scores (TOEFL scores where applicable)


The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity/ affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, religion, associational preference, status as a qualified individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Of interest for:
  • Hydrology Focus Research Group