PhD Student Opportunity at Michigan Technological University: Watershed Hydrology, Water Quality and Modeling Cloud Forest Watersheds in Mexico
We are seeking a PhD student with interests in watershed hydrology, chemistry and land use scenario modeling using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). The research would be conducted in the cloud forest region of Mexico near Xalapa, Veracruz, in association with a larger National Science Foundation project assessing the effect of Mexicos Payment for Hydrologic Services program on eco-hydrologic and socio-economic variables and on indicators of watershed sustainability. The PhD student would be expected to spend a fair amount of time in Mexico leading the sampling for water quality and streamflow measurements as well as training technicians to carry on these activities in their absence. Once the field and secondary hydro- climatic data is collected the student will dedicate an important amount of time calibrating and validating SWAT. The student will also support a scenario analysis in order to study the impact of land management interventions, promoted through watershed payments, on indicators of watershed sustainability. We expect the PhD student to creatively integrate their own ideas within the broader framework of the project. We anticipate a fall 2014 start date. Students could pursue a PhD in either a Forest Science or Environmental Engineering program. Skills in developing and calibrating hydrologic modeling platforms would be helpful. Speaking Spanish is a plus but not required. Michigan Technological University is an equal opportunity employer. For more information contact: Dr. Alex Mayer Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering Michigan Technological University Houghton, MI 49931 Email: [email protected] Web: http://www.geo.mtu.edu/~asmayer/ Skype ID: alex.mayer2
