Jobs:Job-01957
Start reviewing process: 1 December 2025
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Posting:
Position: Ph.D. Opportunity
Start reviewing process: 1 December 2025
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The WRElab seeks to better understand how watersheds function as systems with interactions among meteorological and coastal forcing, geologic setting, and ecological process, and how these systems affect critical water resources in a changing climate. To do so, we use state-of-the-science computational watershed and ecological simulators that are constrained with novel field and remotely-sensed measurements, including stable isotope analyses and spatial-pattern calibration approaches. Current projects focus on the partitioning of rain and snow to streamflow and evapotranspiration in headwaters, integrating upstream and ecological processes to better understand saltwater intrusion processes and impacts under sea level rise, and watershed responses to disturbances including extreme storms and wildfire.
The WRElab emphasizes productive collaboration facilitated by a dedication to a respectful and inclusive work environment. We encourage candidates from a broad variety of backgrounds to apply, particularly those with majors in civil and environmental engineering, earth science, geography, and computer science and experience in computational modeling and data analysis. Ideal candidates will have research experience, a passion for learning and scientific exploration, and a commitment to equity and inclusion. While an M.S. is preferred, it is not required. A positive attitude and the ability to work both independently and part of a team are required. Candidates from historically and currently marginalized groups are particularly encouraged to apply and to ask the questions necessary to ensure they can feel safe, supported and comfortable in the lab, university, community, and field environments. Candidates can apply to the Lab through either Northeastern’s Department of Marine & Environmental Science or Northeastern’s Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering depending on their background, and can be housed in either department.
Funding: This position will be funded through research and teaching assistantships for up to five years, with initial support through an awarded NSF grant (RAISE: Working with communities to reduce flood risk and increase resilience; NSF-2438338). Students will be supported and encouraged to apply for university and national fellowships, where Northeastern has a successful track record. The position includes a competitive stipend, tuition waiver, health insurance benefits, and funding to attend academic conferences.
Need more information?
- Northeastern Department of Marine & Environmental Sciences (https://catalog.northeastern.edu/graduate/science/marine-environmental-sciences/marine-environmental-sciences-phd/)
- Northeastern Civil & Environmental Engineering (https://cee.northeastern.edu/academics/graduate-studies/phd-cive/)
- Northeastern Facts & Figures (https://facts.northeastern.edu/)
Questions can be directed to pjdf@northeastern.edu. Prospective candidates are encouraged to email to express their interest and discuss the research project and WRElab.
How to apply: Qualified applicants are invited to apply for graduate admission to the Department of Marine & Environmental Science (MES; https://cos.northeastern.edu/admissions/graduate-programs/how-to-apply/) or the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering (CEE; https://coe.northeastern.edu/academics-experiential-learning/graduate-school-of-engineering/graduate-admissions/) at Northeastern. The priority application deadline is December 1, 2025 with rolling admission after these dates.
P. James Dennedy-Frank
Assistant Professor, Northeastern University
Marine & Environmental Sciences
Civil & Environmental Engineering
pjdf@northeastern.edu
