Description: The Climate Analytics Group at Auburn University is looking for Ph.D. students interested in studying flash droughts in a changing climate using data science/machine learning/deep learning and process-based modeling approaches. This position is funded by a project awarded by National Science Foundation (NSF), titled “CAS-Climate: CAREER: Analytical methods for understanding and predicting agricultural flash droughts in a changing climate” (link ), with full stipend and tuition waiver support.

The student will have the opportunity to work on the following topics: 1) investigate underlying drivers of agricultural flash droughts using machine learning-based causal inference analysis, 2) develop and evaluate agricultural flash drought forecasts at the subseasonal timescale using deep learning approaches, and 3) assess changes in agricultural flash drought under contemporary and future climate based on coupled general circulation models large ensembles, and will also have opportunities to work with stakeholders (e.g., NOAA Climate Prediction Centers, National Integrated Drought Information System, Federal Emergency Management Agency) and international experts in relevant fields. More information about the lab: https://aub.ie/ClimateAnalytics .

Qualifications: Applicants must have a MS or BS in a science or engineering field (such as hydrology, water resources, climatology/meteorology, earth system science, data science, computer science, or related fields) at the time the PhD program begins. Deserving candidates should have a strong motivation to study climate/hydrologic issues using data science, machine learning, process-based models, and multi-dimensional data, have experience with at least one computing language (e.g., Python, R, etc.), and possess or demonstrate a potential for excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Application Deadline Date: Position open until filled; application review begins immediately.

Application: If interested, please send an email to Dr. Di Tian ([email protected]) with personal statement, CV, unofficial transcripts, and contact information for 3 references. The students can choose to pursue either the Earth System Science Ph.D. Program or the Crop, Soil, and Environmental Science Ph.D. Program.