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 good journals in remote sensing or hydrology
- Familiar with advanced SAR and LiDAR sensors, particularly SWOT, ICESat-2, and NISAR
Funding
Selected candidates will receive at least four years of funding through a combination of teaching and research assistantships.
Visa
We welcome applications from both domestic and international students; however, restrictions may apply to international students who are currently residing in certain countries due to current U.S. visa regulations and policies. Eligibility can depend on factors including nationality, current country of residence, and individual circumstances.
If you have questions or concerns about visa, please feel free to contact Dr. Fangfang Yao (fyao@usf.edu) before preparing any application materials.
How To Apply
Please send a full CV with contact information of three references and a personal statement (up to 1.5 pages that highlights your research interests, relevant qualifications, and tentative ideas for proposed Ph.D. research, and why our lab would be a great fit for you) to Dr. Fangfang Yao (fyao@usf.edu, both uploaded as attachments) to discuss the potential opportunities by September 21st, 2026. After September 21st, applicants may still be considered if they can demonstrate a great fit with our lab. Formal applications must be submitted through the USF graduate application website (https://www.usf.edu/arts-sciences/departments/geosciences/graduate/index.aspx) by October 15th to be considered for funded positions starting from Spring 2027.
For students who are interested in starting from Fall 2027, please reach out to Dr. Fangfang Yao as soon as possible (ideally before October 7th, 2026) to discuss potential options. For Fall 2027, the formal applications are due by Jan 7, 2027.
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.
