Fully Funded PhD in Mountain Hydrology

Join an NSF-funded project investigating snowmelt dynamics and hillslope hydrology at the University of Wyoming.

Best for:Best for aspiring hydrologists or Earth scientists with strong quantitative skills, programming experience, and an interest in snow science.

University of Wyoming · Laramie, United States · R1 · First-stage researcher

More professors at University of Wyoming

mountain hydrologysnow sciencemelt dynamicshillslope runoffsoil infiltration modeling

Deadline

—

Funding

Salaried

Tution/Fees, Health Insurance, plus stipend

Start date

Fall 2027

Full-time

Location

Laramie

United States

Overview

The Mountain Hydrology Research group at the University of Wyoming invites applications for a fully funded Ph.D. student position starting in Fall 2027. Supported by an NSF grant, the successful candidate will work as a research assistant focusing on melt dynamics in mountain snowpacks, liquid water flow through snow, and hillslope runoff processes. The role offers opportunities for computational modeling, remote sensing, and winter fieldwork based on the student's research interests. The student will join a collaborative group led by Dr. Ryan Webb and may participate in the Interdisciplinary Program in Hydrologic Sciences.

hydrologysnowpackremote sensingGISNSFPhD positionresearch assistant

What you'll do

Conduct research on melt dynamics in mountain snowpacks and liquid water flow through snow.
Model hillslope-scale infiltration and runoff processes using relevant simulation tools.
Engage in optional winter fieldwork campaigns in mountain environments and remote sensing analysis.
Process and analyze large datasets related to hydrological and geophysical phenomena.
Collaborate with research group members and contribute to project reporting and scientific publications.

Requirements

Degree required: BSc or MSc in hydrology, snow science, soil physics, geophysics, or a related scientific discipline

Degree offered: PhD

Language: English; TOEFL scores required for international students

Instruction: English

Required skills

Programming skills in R, MATLAB, or Python
Experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Ability to work independently on complex research tasks
Effective oral and written communication skills

Nice to have

Prior experience with research or recreational snow scienceFamiliarity with soil infiltration modeling such as HydrusExperience with winter fieldwork in mountain environmentsBackground in analyzing large datasets or remote sensing

Eligibility

Open to all applicants with a strong preference for candidates from diverse scientific backgrounds
Members of underrepresented groups in STEM fields are strongly encouraged to apply
International applicants must fulfill UW English proficiency and testing requirements

Funding & terms

Type

Salaried

Amount

Tution/Fees, Health Insurance, plus stipend

Duration

4-year fixed-term

Programme

National Science Foundation (NSF)

How to apply

Deadline: 2026-11-16

Interested applicants should prepare a single PDF containing a cover letter, a CV or resume, and contact information for 2 to 3 professional references. Email this single PDF to ryan.webb@uwyo.edu with the subject line 'Student Application'. International students must also include their GRE and TOEFL scores in their CV if applicable.

Documents required