Description
The Watershed Management and Water Quality Lab in the Department of Animal and Range Sciences at New Mexico State University (NMSU) is seeking a motivated PhD student interested in watershed hydrology, water quality, climate impacts, and sustainable management of water-limited landscapes. This position is available for either the Spring or Fall 2027.
Research Background
Water scarcity is an evolving environmental challenge in the southwestern United States. Rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, changing precipitation regimes, extreme weather, wildfire, vegetation shifts, and growing demands from agriculture and communities are placing increasing pressure on already limited water resources. Addressing these challenges requires a new generation of watershed research that integrates field and Earth observations, computational modeling, data science, and management to understand not only how watersheds are changing, but also how they can be managed more effectively.
Our research group at NMSU investigates interactions among climate, vegetation, soils, land management, hydrology, and water quality, with a particular emphasis on semi-arid ecosystems. We integrate process-based modeling, remote sensing, hydroclimatic observations, geospatial analysis, and emerging data-driven approaches to develop science that supports agricultural productivity, ecosystem sustainability, and water-resource management.
Potential Research Directions
The selected student will have flexibility to help shape their dissertation around their interests and background. Current and emerging research directions within the group include:
• Watershed responses to climate variability, drought, and compound climate events;
• Hydrological and water-quality consequences of vegetation change, woody plant encroachment, wildfire, and land degradation;
• Development of Digital Twin and decision-support frameworks that integrate Earth observations, watershed models, stakeholder information, and data-driven methods;
• Development and evaluation of new agricultural best management practices, nature-based solutions, and precision rangeland management;
Desired Qualifications
Applicants from a broad range of backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Relevant disciplines may include hydrology, water resources, environmental science or engineering, agricultural engineering, range science, natural resources, geography, Earth and environmental sciences, civil engineering, or related fields. The successful candidate will be on Teaching Assistantship for the academic year and is expected to help teaching graduate/undergraduate courses in the Department of Animal and Range Sciences.
Strong candidates will have experience or interest in several of the following areas:
• Proficiency in hydrologic, watershed, ecohydrologic, or environmental modeling (e.g., SWAT, SWAT+);
• Watershed hydrology and/or water quality;
• Quantitative analysis of environmental or hydroclimatic data;
• GIS and geospatial analysis;
• Remote sensing and Earth observation datasets;
• Programming and data analysis using R, Python, Google Earth Engine, or similar tools;
• Climate and weather datasets and/or climate projections;
• Statistical, machine-learning, or other data-driven approaches; and
• Interdisciplinary research connecting environmental processes with land and water management.
Position and Application
To express your interest, please email Henrique Haas at haashen@nmsu.edu with:
• A brief introduction describing your background and research interests;
• A current curriculum vitae (CV); and
• A short statement outlining your research interests and career goals.
Prospective students are encouraged to apply through either the Water Science and Management or Range Science graduate programs at New Mexico State University. Additional information about admission requirements and the application process is available below:
• Water Science and Management: https://wsm.nmsu.edu/
• Range Science (Ph.D.): https://anrs.nmsu.edu/graduate/range-science-grad-phd.html
Contact
Henrique Haas
haashen@nmsu.edu (preferred contact method)
