We are always looking for highly motivated and collaborative graduate students to join our lab, especially if you have an MS degree and skills in geospatial analyses, hydrologic field methods, hydrologic modeling, and/or R and Python programming. Please contact Jon if you’re interested!

Students may apply to Forest Resources or Soil Science programs in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management. For Ph.D. students in Soil Science, the degree can be combined with the Biogeochemistry Dual Title Degree program. For graduate students in Forest Resources, a joint degree in Transdisciplinary Research on Environment and Society (TREES) is possible.

Our group, the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, and Penn State University are committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in all of its forms. I strongly encourage applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

Openings:

Grad Student Openings:

Graduate Research Assistantships are available on different projects at Penn State beginning Spring, Summer, or Fall of 2025 to study interactions of climate and critical zone processes on streamflow generation and water quality. Successful applicants will be encouraged to take full advantage of interdisciplinary teams. Both PhD and MS applicants will be considered.

Project 1: One graduate research assistantship is available to study the role of large storm events on nitrogen,  phosphorus, and dissolved organic carbon export from forested watersheds with contrasting stream intermittency and forest management history. This USDA funded project will focus on Penn State Experimental Watersheds and/or a cluster of non-perennial wetlands, just 30 minutes from the Penn State campus. Research could focus on data analysis, modeling, field work, or a combination of the above. Interested applicants should contact Jon Duncan (jmduncan at psu dot edu).

Project 2: One graduate research assistantship is available to quantify nutrient export from long-term stations across the Susquehanna River watershed. This USDA funded project will be working with engineers to help develop machine learning models to better estimate nutrient loads to Chesapeake Bay. This student will lead in deployment and collection of high-frequency water quality sensors in different agricultural watersheds to determine process based mechanisms driving concentration-discharge relationships.

Please indicate which position(s) you are interested in and include a CV, transcript (unofficial is fine), and a brief explanation of your interests and background. Competitive stipend and benefits are included. Applicants from diverse backgrounds are especially encouraged to contact us. The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in all its forms.

Undergrad Openings:

We are looking for undergraduate research assistants to help with field work, laboratory based water quality analyses, and GIS projects. Please reach out!