The Department of Geology at Kansas State University is recruiting two fully funded M.S. students to join Dr. Jeeban Panthi’s Panthi HydroSystem Lab beginning Summer or Fall 2026. Our group works on numerical modeling, hydrogeophysics, remote sensing, and field observations to study groundwater–surface water interactions, water availability, and water quality in Kansas, the High Plains region and beyond. Learn more about our group’s research at https://jeebanpanthi.com/. Also, we collaborate with Kansas Water Institute for interdisciplinary research projects.
Available Research Themes
Theme 1 – Vadose Zone Modeling & Hydrogeophysics
This student will develop vadose zone models for western Kansas using soil moisture observations, geophysical data (ERI, NMR), and remote sensing (e.g., GRACE, SMAP). The project focuses on understanding unsaturated-zone processes and improving satellite-based hydrologic estimates.
Theme 2 – Groundwater Flow & Contaminant Transport Modeling
This student will build MODFLOW-based groundwater models for Kansas Groundwater Management Districts (GMDs) and couple them with contaminant transport simulations to study nitrate–uranium co-contamination. Field opportunities include groundwater sampling from private/public wells.
Project assignments and study designs will be tailored to align with the student’s academic background, research interests, and long-term career goals.
Funding
Students will be supported through Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA) or Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA) with competitive stipends and potential summer funding.
How to Apply
Before submitting a formal application, interested students should complete the pre-application form and upload the following documents to https://kstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0SrlLrzBdtjawBw
• CV (max 2 pages)
• Research statement (1 page)
Short-listed candidates will be invited for a Zoom interview and then encouraged to apply to the K-State Graduate School.
We welcome applicants in their final undergraduate year or recent graduates in geology, geoscience, or related fields.
Thinking about Ph.D. in the future? There will be a possibility of transitioning to Ph.D. program.
Kansas State University (KSU or K-State) is a public land-grant research university with its main campus in the vibrant city of Manhattan, Kansas. It was opened as the state’s land-grant college in 1863 and was the first public institution of higher learning in the state of Kansas. The university is classified among “R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity”.
Kansas Water Institute supports high-priority water research for the state and facilitates communication and application of research results among water professionals.
