Why Join Us
The Hydrological Remote Sensing Lab (HydroRS) at the University of South Florida (USF) is a group of hydrologists and students passionate about interdisciplinary water resources research using cutting-edge geospatial technologies. We are currently living in the golden age of satellite observations of the water cycle. HydroRS members leverage new opportunities from remote sensing and AI/ML to investigate the changing water cycle and water crises at regional to global scales. One of our recent studies, which leverages data from optical, radar, and LiDAR sensors together with models to quantify and attribute global lake water storage declines, was featured on the cover of Science Magazine. Please visit https://bg2012gis.github.io/ to learn more about our work.
We welcome applicants with a strong background in remote sensing or hydrology. We seek applicants who are highly motivated to explore new data from recent satellite missions and to pursue exciting questions in hydrology. Some potential research topics include, but are not limited to, hydrological extremes, trends and drivers of freshwater storage, human footprint on water, and changing water towers (snowpacks and glaciers). Selected applicants will work with a multidisciplinary team at USF, NASA and other institutions.
What We’re Looking For
We seek applicants meeting most of the following qualifications
- A strong background in remote sensing or hydrology
- Interest in regional- to global-scale hydrological studies
- Experience with geospatial data processing using Python or R
- Good communication and scientific writing skills
Preference will be given to candidates with one of the additional advantages below
- Demonstrated ability to publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals
- Familiar with advanced InSAR/LiDAR sensors (e.g., SWOT, ICESat-2) or AI/ML
- Experience with big data analytics on High-Performance Computing (HPC) or Google Earth Engine (GEE)
Funding
Selected candidates will receive at least four years of funding through a combination of teaching and research assistantships.
How To Apply
Please send a full CV with a list of three references (contact information only) and a brief introduction of research interests and relevant qualifications (both uploaded as attachments) to Dr. Fangfang Yao (fyao@usf.edu) by Dec 1. The official application deadline is Jan 7. Late inquiries before Jan 7 may still be considered if they can demonstrate a great fit with our lab.
About USF and Life Here
The University of South Florida is a top 50 public university and a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. The HydroRS Lab is located on the Tampa campus, surrounded by the vibrant Marshall Student Center Plaza, an art museum, gardens, and a thriving interdisciplinary research community. With beaches, river parks, biking trails, and top attractions like Disney World nearby, you’ll experience the perfect balance of academic growth and Florida lifestyle in the Tampa Bay area.
