MS Position in Environmental Geochemistry and Soil Science at California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt in United States

The Department of Forestry, Fire, and Rangeland Management at California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt is offering a funded MS position in the Soil & Environmental Quality Lab, starting Fall 2026. The research focuses on environmental geochemistry, specifically investigating how fire intensity and duration influence the formation of hexavalent chromium, a Class A carcinogen, in serpentine soils. This project is highly relevant to environmental science, soil chemistry, and geochemistry, with a strong emphasis on understanding toxic metal contamination risks in northern California and southern Oregon.

The successful candidate will participate in controlled burn experiments, environmental geochemistry research, and GIS-based hazard mapping. Training will be provided in soil chemistry, including chemical extractions and spectroscopic analyses, as well as GIS-based modeling. The project aims to map and mitigate the risk of toxic metal contamination resulting from wildfires, integrating laboratory and fieldwork components.

Applicants should have a background in environmental science, chemistry, geology, or a related field, and demonstrate motivation for research in environmental geochemistry and soil science. Experience with soil chemistry, geochemistry, GIS, or spectroscopic analysis is preferred but not strictly required. The position is funded, though specific details about the funding package are not provided.

To apply, interested students should contact Dr. Chelsea Sabrina Obeidy, Assistant Professor of Soil Science, via email. The application window is open for Fall 2026 entry, and candidates are encouraged to review the recent publication linked in the announcement for additional context on the research topic.