Graduate Student Opportunities
We are always looking for students in the fields of geodesy, geomatics, remote sensing, earth and ocean sciences, mathematics, and computer science who are interested in pursuing graduate degrees in the Geosensing Systems Engineering & Sciences (GSES) program at the University of Houston. All admitted Ph.D. students are on graduate research assistantships, with an annual stipend of ~$30,000. Instead of sending me inquiry emails, prospective students are encouraged to fill in this Online Form at any time of the year. Informal review of applications will start immediately and we will contact you if further information is needed. If I receive your email inquiry, then I know you have not read this webpage.
Below are three active projects we are recruiting graduate students:
1. Seafloor geodesy with GNSS-Acoustic ranging (GNSS-A) and ocean bottom pressure (OBP) sensors. A large portion of Earth’s surface is covered by the ocean, where the crustal motion and deformation can only be measured with seafloor geodesy. This project uses remotely controlled robotic vehicles (e.g., Wave Gliders) to conduct GNSS-A surveys and retrieve OBP measurements. The data will be used to characterize long- and short-term seafloor motion. The successful candidate is expected to participate in instrument deployment and develop data analysis skills.
2. Characterizing subduction zone crustal deformation with space geodetic observations. Subduction zones host most great earthquakes and almost all major tsunamis. Measurements of Earth’s surface displacement rates can provide critical constraints about the state of strain accumulation on the fault interface. This project uses GNSS and InSAR techniques to measure Earth’s surface displacements and link the observations with geophysical processes. The successful candidate is expected to learn GNSS and InSAR data processing and develop modeling skills to characterize crustal deformation in subduction zones.
3. Coastal and polar sea level observations with GNSS Interferometric Reflectometry (GNSS-IR) and satellite altimetry. GNSS-IR and satellite altimetry are complementary techniques to measure sea levels. This project uses GNSS-IR derived sea levels as independent observations to examine the accuracies of satellite altimetry and traditional tide gauges, and improve ocean tidal models for areas where traditional observations are lacking. The successful candidate is expected to develop skills in GNSS-IR and satellite altimetry, and apply these techniques to quantify changes in coastal and polar regions.
Note: GRE test is no longer mandatory for admission into the GSES PhD program.
Postdoctoral Opportunities
We occasionally have funds to support postdoctoral researchers. In many cases, we encourage prospective postdocs to investigate possible funding sources that are available to them. We are also interested to hear from you if you have a proposal idea that can potentially bring in postdoctoral support from funding agencies.
About the university, program, and city: The University of Houston is a public research university in Houston, Texas that is classified as an “R1” institution by Carnegie, which is the highest classification for research activity. The GSES is a multi-disciplinary program in which faculty and students use state-of-the-art sensors to observe and characterize critical Earth’s surface processes. Houston is a leading energy and technology hub in the country.