Arizona State University (ASU) is inviting applications for fully-funded PhD positions through the Presidential Graduate Assistantship (PGA) Fellowship Program, focusing on integrative insights into conservation threats in extreme ecosystems. The opportunity is hosted by the Integrative Stewardship of Extreme Environments (ISEE) research cluster, based in the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences at ASU’s West Valley campus. ISEE is an interdisciplinary collective of scholars and students dedicated to studying biodiversity, ecosystem health, and the reciprocal relationship between environmental threats and human well-being.

Research areas include environmental justice, planetary health, biodiversity, endangered species, soil biogeochemistry, mathematical modeling, explainable AI, network analysis, remote sensing, data science, machine learning, and genomics. The cluster’s shared focus is on extreme environments such as oceans, deserts, and urban areas, where unique challenges arise due to temperature, water availability, and human influence.

PhD students will work across disciplines, with primary focus in one of the following ASU PhD programs: School of Life Sciences (Biology, Animal Behavior, Environmental Life Sciences, Evolutionary Biology), School of Sustainability, School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Statistics), or School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence (Computer Science, Data Science, Analytics, and Engineering). The program encourages innovative approaches to conservation, data analysis, and technological solutions for ecosystem health.

The position is fully funded, covering tuition and providing a stipend for the duration of the PhD. Applicants should have a strong academic background in a relevant field, research interests aligned with the cluster’s themes, and proficiency in technical skills such as data science, mathematics, or biology. Application materials include a CV, transcripts, and a statement of research interests. Interested candidates should email Yixuan He at [email protected] and apply to the appropriate ASU PhD program. The application deadline is January 1, 2026.

For more information, visit the ISEE website and Yixuan He's homepage. This is an excellent opportunity for students passionate about conservation, data science, and interdisciplinary research to join a vibrant academic community at Arizona State University.