Graduate Assistantship

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 flooding.

The graduate assistantship is fully funded and covers tuition, a stipend ($25,000/year), and health insurance. The position is to start in the Fall of 2024.

Job Duties:

The student will work in Dr. Tyler Mahoney's hydrology modeling and monitoring laboratory (see Dr. Mahoney's Google Scholar page here). Dr. Mahoney's research focuses on understanding the controls of hydrologic, sediment, and nutrient transport at variable spatiotemporal scales. Dr. Mahoney's lab utilizes process-based numerical models, machine learning, and 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 connectivity, especially related to flash flooding in small headwater systems in eastern Kentucky. 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, statistics, and field monitoring to understand hydrologic processes, especially related to floods; 2) communicating research findings via scientific journal articles, 3) utilizing sensors to monitor hydrologic processes, 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.

Necessary qualifications include the following:

Preference will be given to students who have previously earned an MS degree in the field of civil engineering with a focus on 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. Students should anticipate starting the position in Fall of 2024. International applicants should consider logistical requirements of obtaining a visa when applying. International applicants should have an English proficiency score to apply (TOEFL > 80, or Duolingo > 105, or IELTS > 6.5). GRE Q+V>295 is required. Successful candidates will also demonstrate the following skills in their application:

excellent written and verbal communication skills, a basic understanding of hydrology and hydrologic processes, environmental science, or similar natural resource related disciplines, a basic ability to code (e.g., MATLAB, Python, R) and utilize software such as GIS, basic understanding of calculus, physics, numerical methods, and statistics, and the ability to effectively collaborate as well as work independently.

Application:

Applicants are asked to submit the following material to Dr. Mahoney: 1) a one-page personal statement demonstrating your interest in the graduate assistantship, career goals, and qualifications; 2) a resume or CV detailing previous experience and relevant skills including any publications, if applicable; 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: If chosen for the assistantship by Dr. Mahoney, you will then need to submit an official application through the University of Louisville Graduate School (information can be found here).

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.