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Forest remote sensing and soil ecology
PhD position for Fall 2027
We are considering applications for one PhD student to start Fall 2027 through the UTEP Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB) PhD Program. The student will work on the spatial ecology and remote sensing of forest vegetation structure and ecosystem function at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) in Edgewater, Maryland. The specific objectives will be developed under NSF Award #2621909 to investigate tree root biomass and structure in forest systems within the larger collaborative team (SERC, UCONN, IU, Kenyon College, and UTEP). This project has a heavy field component that requires the successful applicant to reside at SERC for 1-2 semesters to collect root remote sensing and forest soil ecology data products in a variety of weather conditions.
A competitive applicant is required to have a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA, previous independent research experience including field work experience in ecology or natural resources, and obtain a US drivers license at the start of the program. Publications are not required for applicants with a bachelor's degree, but they greatly strengthen an application. A first-author publication or manuscript close to submission is required for applicants that will have a thesis-based master's degree in a science field.
Funding for this program is available as a combination of departmental teaching assistantships in combination with a grant specific research assistantship. Qualified UTEP PhD students are eligible for health insurance and PhD tuition remission. Applicants may also apply collaboratively with the lab to external fellowships.
Applications are due to the UTEP Graduate School by Feb. 1, 2027 but interested applicants should reach out to ealarue [at] utep [dot] edu by email first. Include your academic CV, a summary of your research and career goals, contact info for 1-2 references, and a first-author publication or the contact info for your thesis advisor if you have completed or will complete a master's degree.
Prospective Master's Students
Applicants can apply for a departmental assistantship but a tuition remission is not included as part of master's student funding packages.