Position Overview

We invite applications for a funded PhD student position at New Mexico State University (NMSU) focused on surface water and groundwater interaction modeling in the context of climate change. The successful candidate will contribute to advancing our understanding of how reduced surface water availability due to climate change drives increased reliance on pumped groundwater and its implications for water-resilient communities.

Research Focus

The candidate will build on previous hydrologic modeling efforts across various regions using the coupled SWAT-MODFLOW model. The key aspects of the project include:

• Modeling surface water and groundwater interactions under future climate scenarios.
• Performing sensitivity analyses to optimize the spatial scales of SWAT and MODFLOW.
• Evaluating the effects of soil management practices on water budgets.
• Forecasting regional-scale water availability for irrigation, compact deliveries, environmental flows, and other downstream needs.
• Integrating results into system dynamics models and decision-making tools for sustainable water management.

Qualifications

• A Master’s degree in civil engineering with a focus on water resources engineering or hydrology, or a closely related field.
• Background in hydrologic modeling, with experience in SWAT, MODFLOW, or similar models preferred.
• Programming skills (e.g., C, Python, R, or other relevant programming languages). Familiarity with coding practices for large datasets or modeling.
• Experience with GIS software, with a preference for experience in GRASS GIS or similar tools.
• Familiarity with Linux operating systems or willingness to learn.
• Strong interest in climate change impacts on hydrologic processes and water resource management.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Willingness to learn and develop further expertise in SWAT, MODFLOW, and other modeling tools over the course of the PhD.

What We Offer

• Full funding including tuition, stipend, and research support.
• Mentorship and collaboration opportunities within a multidisciplinary research team.
• Access to state-of-the-art computational resources and field data from diverse regional study sites.

How to Apply

Informal Interview

Interested candidates should submit the following in this form by December 31, 2024:

1. A cover letter outlining your research interests and motivation for this position.
2. A detailed CV highlighting relevant experience and skills.
3. Contact information for at least two academic or professional references.
4. BS and MS transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable).
5. GitHub repositories containing relevant code samples or previous modeling work.
6. Examples of up to five related publications.

You will receive an email only if you are selected for an informal interview.

Formal Application

You are recommended to formally apply by March 1, 2025 (NMSU Civil Engineering Prospective Students).

Start Date

August 2025

Lab Information

To learn more about us, visit https://clawrim.isnew.info/.