Fully Funded PhD Research Assistant in Sustainability, Land Cover, Soil Moisture, and Dust Emission Modeling University of South Dakota in United States

The Department of Sustainability & Environment at the University of South Dakota is inviting applications for a fully funded PhD graduate research assistantship in Sustainability for Fall 2026.

The project is supported by an NSF collaborative grant and focuses on assessing land cover/use, soil moisture, and dust emission potential from the 1930s Dust Bowl to the present day. The work will contribute to future drought, soil moisture, and dust emission modeling for cropland and grassland ecosystems in the Northern Great Plains.

The PhD student will use data analytics, machine learning, and deep learning, with strong emphasis on Python, Google Earth Engine, R, and Geo-AI. The role also includes field work support, including sUAS flights for model validation, and opportunities to present at national and international conferences.

Applicants should hold a master's degree in ecology, geography, environmental sciences/engineering, computer science/engineering, or another earth science discipline. Strong writing and communication skills are required. Preferred experience includes advanced machine learning, data visualization, model/variable selection, Bayesian statistics, Geo-AI, and working with diverse datasets including very high-resolution imagery and HPC.

The assistantship includes a 12-month stipend and a 100% tuition waiver. The duty station is Vermillion, South Dakota, and remote work is not allowed. The position is open only to candidates currently in the United States.

To apply, email [email protected] with your academic CV and an expression of interest explaining your fit. Use "Ph.D.GRA" in the subject line.