The Department of Earth and Environmental Science at Temple University seeks a motivated student interested in pursing PhD (Geosciences). The research project will evaluate opportunities to lower the environmental impacts (on land and water resources) of large-scale solar development by providing foundational data and analysis on cost reduction opportunities. A major option that will be evaluated in the proposed research will be the colocation of solar installations and agriculture. The research project, funded by the Department of Energy, will identify crops suitable for colocation for different agroclimatic regions, collect data on the energy inputs, water and emissions from solar infrastructures and crops/biofuels, and conduct comprehensive life cycle analyses to understand the tradeoffs and synergies of colocation. The PhD position will be fully funded through research and teaching assistantships. The student will be advised by Sujith Ravi (Temple University, PA https://sites.temple.edu/ravi/home/) and will work in close collaboration with Jordan Macknick (National Renewable Energy Laboratory, CO). Applicants must hold a Master degree in geology, earth science or environmental sciences, with strong oral and written communication skills. Experience or interest in quantitative data analysis is preferred. Temple University is a comprehensive public research university located in Philadelphia, PA. Temple University is a dynamic urban university with around 38,000 students and provides one of the nation’s most comprehensive and diverse learning environments. Temple is ranked by the National Science Foundation as among the top 100 universities in the country for research expenditures. More information about our department is available at http://www.temple.edu/geology/ . For more information contact Sujith Ravi, Assistant Professor, Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA ([email protected]).
