Ph.D Position in Evaluating and Modeling Best Management Practices

Community Surface Dynamics Modeling System (CSDMS); Penn (Westmoreland County); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Penn State University invites applications for a PhD Student in the Valappil research group within the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering. The position is fully funded, starting Spring 2027, with stipend, tuition, and health insurance support.

The project combines field-based water quality and soil monitoring with ecohydrological modeling, using SWAT to represent BMPs such as riparian buffers.

Qualifications

• MS in a relevant field (ABE, Civil, or related) required.
• Strong knowledge of ecohydrology, water quality, BMPs, and process-based hydrological modeling.
• Programming skills in R, Matlab, Python, etc.
• Proficiency in oral and written English communication.

Responsibilities

• Conduct field-based water quality and soil monitoring.
• Develop and enhance hydrological models (SWAT) to represent BMPs.
• Engage with stakeholders via Penn State Extension and communicate findings.

Skills

Ecohydrology

Water quality

Data analysis

Hydrological modeling

Programming (R, Matlab, Python)

Education

MS in Agricultural & Biological Engineering, Civil Engineering, or related field

Tools

SWAT

Job description

Penn State University, Pennsylvania, United States

Start reviewing process: 5 September 2026

Position

Posting:

PhD Student

Start Reviewing Process

5 September 2026

The Valappil research group in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering (https://abe.psu.edu/) at Penn State is seeking a motivated Ph.D. student to work on a project evaluating Best Management Practices (BMPs) through integrated field monitoring and ecohydrological modeling. This is a fully-funded position, expected to start in Spring 2027, and will include stipend, tuition, and health insurance support.

The Project Will Involve Field-based Research Focusing On Water Quality And Soil Monitoring, As Well As Using The Data For Developing And Enhancing Hydrological Models (SWAT) To Represent BMPs Such As Riparian Buffers. We Are Looking For Candidates With Background In Field/lab-based Water Quality Assessment, Data Analysis, And Hydrological Modeling. Additionally, Applicants Should Have

• An M.S. in Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Civil Engineering, or related fields in natural resources engineering.
• Strong knowledge of one or more of the following: Ecohydrology, water quality, agricultural/urban best management practices (BMPs), process-based hydrological modeling, watershed management.
• Programming skills in one or more languages (R, Matlab, Python, etc.)
• Proficiency in oral and written English communication.

The project will also have a stakeholder engagement component and the student can expect to work closely with Penn State Extension (https://extension.psu.edu/) to gain additional experience interacting with landowners and developing outreach products.

If you have any questions or do not have a Gmail account to access the form, please reach out to Dr. Femeena Pandara Valappil at [e-mail]

Of interest for:

• Hydrology Focus Research Group
• Ecosystem Dynamics Focus Research Group