Fully Funded Ph.D. Opportunity 2026 – Remote Sensing, Water Resources, and Environmental Hazards

Location: University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
Start Date: Spring Semester, January 2026
Application Deadline (Initial Interest Form): September 9, 2025
Departmental Application Deadline: October 1, 2025

Dr. Sonam Sherpa, Assistant Professor at the School of Environment, Society & Sustainability and the Wilkes Center for Climate Science and Policy, University of Utah, is inviting applications for a fully funded Ph.D. position in the field of remote sensing, water resources, and environmental hazards.

This position provides a unique opportunity for a motivated and talented student to conduct research at the intersection of satellite remote sensing, data science, and artificial intelligence, with a particular focus on environmental and hydrologic hazards.

Research Focus

The successful applicant will contribute to cutting-edge research on the remote sensing of environmental and geohazards. Research areas include, but are not limited to:

• Satellite-based Monitoring:
  Monitoring of hydrologic and environmental hazards such as floods, inland water bodies, sea level rise (including solid earth processes), and proglacial environmental changes.
• Surface and Groundwater Hydrology:
  Utilizing data from NASA’s Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) mission to enhance understanding of global water systems.
• Data Fusion and Machine Learning:
  Integrating radar data, commercial satellite imagery, and in situ observations through advanced data fusion and computational techniques, including machine learning and AI.
• Cryosphere and Water Cycle Dynamics:
  Investigating changes in cold region environments, including proglacial landscapes and cryospheric processes.

This Ph.D. project offers direct engagement with cutting-edge datasets such as SWOT, NISAR, Gravity Recovery missions (GRACE/GRACE-FO), and GNSS time series, supporting innovative approaches to environmental monitoring and hazard mapping.

Students will also have opportunities to collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, including researchers at the Wilkes Center for Climate Science and Policy, enhancing both scientific breadth and applied impact.

Position and Funding Details

• Start Date: January 2026 (Spring Semester)
• Duration: 4–5 years
• Funding: Fully funded position including:
  • Full tuition coverage
  • Competitive stipend
  • Health insurance and benefits
  • Research and travel support

The position is based at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, an emerging hub for environmental and geoscience research, with access to outstanding academic resources and a collaborative research community.

Eligibility Criteria

Academic Qualifications:

• A completed Master’s degree by the start date in one or more of the following fields:
  Geography, Earth Sciences, Environmental Science, Hydrology, Remote Sensing, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, or related disciplines.

Technical Skills:

• Strong background in satellite remote sensing and geospatial data analysis
• Proficiency in programming or data analysis tools (e.g., Python, MATLAB, R)
• Familiarity with hydrologic, geophysical, or cryospheric datasets is a plus

Communication:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential

Language Requirements for International Applicants:

• TOEFL (iBT): Minimum 80
• IELTS: Minimum 6.5
• Duolingo English Test: Minimum 105

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit an initial expression of interest by filling out the application form by September 9, 2025. Early application is encouraged, as selected candidates will be contacted for follow-up discussions and further instructions on the departmental application.

• Initial Interest Form Deadline: September 9, 2025
• Official Department Application Deadline: October 1, 2025

To express interest or ask questions, applicants are encouraged to contact:

Dr. Sonam Sherpa
Assistant Professor
School of Environment, Society & Sustainability
Wilkes Center for Climate Science and Policy
University of Utah
Email: [email protected]

About the University of Utah

Located in the heart of the American West, the University of Utah is a leading research institution recognized for innovation in climate science, environmental studies, and geospatial technologies. The University provides access to world-class faculty, advanced computing infrastructure, and vibrant research networks through centers such as the Wilkes Center for Climate Science and Policy.

Download the call for application here

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the awarding organization. For any inquiries, please contact the awarding organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.