Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering at The University of Alabama invites applications for a fully funded PhD. The position will focus on (1) hydrologic complex system analysis using information theory and causal inference and/or (2) hybrid differentiable modeling on watershed processes. The anticipated start date is January 2026 or September 2026.
Qualifications
- MS or BS degree in civil engineering or other closely related fields (such as hydrology, geoscience, and environmental science) before the start of the PhD program
- Strong quantitative skills with prior experience in deep learning and process-based modeling (e.g., hydrologic modeling, watershed modeling, or groundwater modeling) is preferred
- Proficiency in programming languages (e.g., Python) is preferred Experience in using machine learning package (e.g., PyTorch and JAX) is preferred Strong written and verbal communication skills
Application
For consideration, please submit your CV (including contact information for references) and a one-page cover letter describing your research experience/interests to Dr. Peishi Jiang (Peishi.Jiang@ua.edu), in subject line “UA-Hydro-PhD Application”. Instructions on how to apply are available at Graduate School (https://graduate.ua.edu/applicants/requirements/).
About PI
Dr. Peishi Jiang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering at the University of Alabama. He holds a PhD from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and was an Earth Scientist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory before UA. As a hydrologist and ecohydrologist, Dr. Jiang’s research interests lie in studying complex environmental systems using novel data-driven methods and hybrid physics-AI approaches.
About the University of Alabama
The University of Alabama (UA) is a flagship university in the state, located in Tuscaloosa, AL. UA is the home to a variety of organizations and units that focus on water-related research, including the Alabama Water Institute, the National Water Center, the Global Water Security Center, and the NOAA Cooperative Institute on Research to Operations in Hydrology (CIROH). With these transformative supports, UA is poised to become a standard bearer in translating water research into operational practices that enhance the nation’s ability to predict water-related hazards and effectively manage water resources.
