Funded PhD in Coastal Biogeochemistry, Coastal Watersheds, and Microplastics at University of Maryland, Baltimore County University of Maryland, Baltimore County in United States

University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) is advertising a 4-year funded PhD position in coastal biogeochemistry in the Department of Geography and Environmental Systems, starting in Fall 2026.

The project sits within the research program of Dr. Sophie Comer-Warner, whose work focuses on aquatic biogeochemistry, coastal wetlands, rivers/estuaries, environmental pollution, micro- and nanoplastic pollution, global environmental change, and climate change. The PhD topic can be shaped by the successful candidate and may focus on: (i) drivers of microbial-biogeochemical cycling and greenhouse gas fluxes in coastal watersheds, (ii) effects of global environmental change on coastal wetland biogeochemistry, or (iii) fate and transport of microplastics and their effects on biogeochemical cycling in coastal watersheds.

Eligible applicants should have a Master’s degree in biogeochemistry, environmental engineering/science, chemistry, or a related field. The post specifically asks for previous fieldwork and/or laboratory experience; programming skills are preferred but not mandatory.

Funding is described as a competitive package including a tuition waiver, monthly stipend, and insurance benefits.

To apply, interested candidates should email [email protected] with an Academic CV and a 2–3 sentence summary of research interests. The post also points applicants to the UMBC Graduate Programs page for the formal application process. The deadline information on the graduate programs page indicates Fall admission deadlines, with international students due by 2026-12-31 and domestic applicants by 2026-02-01; the post itself emphasizes a Fall 2026 start.

This opportunity is a strong fit for students interested in environmental science, earth science, biology, and chemistry, especially those working on coastal ecosystems, greenhouse gas emissions, nutrient cycling, and emerging contaminants such as microplastics.