Fangfang Yao

The Hydrological Remote Sensing Lab (HydroRS) at the University of South Florida is seeking PhD students to join its research team starting Fall 2026. The lab specializes in studying water resources using advanced remote sensing, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and geospatial technologies. Research topics include global lake water storage declines, flooding, reservoir sedimentation, hydrological sensitivity to climate change, and environmental impacts of dams and water level changes. The lab's work has been featured on the cover of Science Magazine and involves collaborations across multiple disciplines. The University of South Florida is a top 50 public university and a member of the AAU, located on the Tampa campus, which offers a vibrant academic and lifestyle environment. Applicants should have a strong background in environmental science, earth science, geography, computer science, or related fields, and demonstrate motivation for independent research. To apply, candidates must send a full CV, a list of three references, and a brief introduction of their research interests and qualifications to Dr. Fangfang Yao. The application deadline is January 7, 2026. Funding details are not specified, but the position is a formal PhD opening in a research lab. For more information, visit the USF faculty page or the provided application link.

The Hydrological Remote Sensing Lab (HydroRS) at the University of South Florida (USF) is recruiting PhD students for Fall 2026. The lab focuses on interdisciplinary water resources research using advanced geospatial technologies, remote sensing, and AI/ML to study the global water cycle and water crises. Research topics include hydrological extremes, freshwater storage trends, human impacts on water, and changes in snowpacks and glaciers. The lab collaborates with NASA and other institutions, and recent work has been featured in Science Magazine. Applicants should have a strong background in remote sensing or hydrology, experience with geospatial data processing (Python or R), and strong communication skills. Preferred candidates will have peer-reviewed publications, experience with InSAR/LiDAR sensors or AI/ML, and familiarity with HPC or Google Earth Engine. All selected PhD students receive at least four years of funding through teaching and research assistantships, covering stipend and tuition. USF is a top 50 public university and AAU member, located in Tampa, Florida, offering a vibrant academic and lifestyle environment. To apply, send your CV, three references, and a statement of research interests to Dr. Fangfang Yao ([email protected]) by Dec 1 for priority consideration; the official deadline is Jan 7, 2026.

The Hydrological Remote Sensing Lab (HydroRS) at the University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa is recruiting PhD students to join their dynamic team in Fall 2026. The lab focuses on interdisciplinary research in water resources, leveraging cutting-edge remote sensing, geospatial analytics, and AI/ML to study the global water cycle. Research topics include hydrological extremes, freshwater storage trends, human impacts on water, and changes in snowpacks and glaciers. The lab utilizes data from optical, radar, and LiDAR satellites, and has been recognized for its impactful research, including a recent study featured on the cover of Science Magazine. Applicants should have a strong background in remote sensing or hydrology, experience with Python or R for geospatial data processing, and strong communication skills. Preferred candidates will have publications in peer-reviewed journals, experience with InSAR/LiDAR or AI/ML, and familiarity with high-performance computing or Google Earth Engine. All selected PhD students receive at least four years of funding through teaching and research assistantships, covering stipend and tuition. The USF Tampa campus offers a vibrant academic environment and access to Florida's beaches and attractions. To apply, candidates should send a CV, contact information for three references, and a brief statement of research interests to Dr. Fangfang Yao by December 1 for priority consideration, with the official deadline on January 7, 2026. Late applications may be considered if a strong fit is demonstrated. For more information, visit the lab's website.

The Hydrological Remote Sensing Lab (HydroRS) at the University of South Florida is recruiting a PhD student for interdisciplinary research in water resources using advanced geospatial technologies. The lab leverages satellite observations, remote sensing, and AI/ML to address global water crises and study the water cycle at regional and global scales. Recent research from the lab has been featured in Science Magazine. The position is ideal for candidates with a strong background in remote sensing or hydrology, geospatial data processing skills (Python or R), and an interest in hydrological studies. Preferred qualifications include publication experience, familiarity with InSAR/LiDAR sensors or AI/ML, and big data analytics experience. The successful candidate will receive at least four years of funding through teaching and research assistantships, covering stipend and tuition. The University of South Florida is a top 50 public university and AAU member, located in Tampa, Florida, offering a vibrant campus life and access to local attractions. The application deadline is January 7, 2026, with late inquiries considered for strong candidates. To apply, send a CV, references, and a research introduction to Dr. Fangfang Yao at [email protected].