This research aims to analyze how forestry practices and land use/land cover affect the thermal landscape of rivers in Mississippi.

The student will work with Dr. Sandra Correa, an Associate Professor in the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture, and Dr. Padmanava Dash, a Professor in the Department of Geosciences at Mississippi State University (MSU).

ELIGIBILITY:

A bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering, forest engineering, agricultural engineering, environmental sciences, geosciences, geography, or a related field, and knowledge of remote sensing and satellite imagery analytical tools are required. Technical expertise using ArcGIS Pro, Python, and Google Earth Engine is highly desirable. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English is required. For non-native English speakers, a TOEFL score of 550 PBT or 79 iBT (Internet-Based Test) or an IELTS score of 6.5 (International English Language Testing System) is required for admission to the MSU Graduate program. GRE scores are optional.

To apply: please send an email with the subject line “river thermal landscapes” to Dr. Sandra Correa (sbc257@msstate.edu) and Dr. Padmanava Dash (pd175@msstate.edu) with the following documents: (1) cover letter or statement of purpose describing experiential background, career goals, and project interest; (2) resume; (3) email addresses and phone numbers for three references; (4) copy of college transcripts; (5) TOEFL or IELTS and GRE scores (optional). The successful candidate will be required to submit a formal application and official transcripts to MSU Graduate School.

BENEFIT:

Salary and benefits: Funding is available for 2.5 years and may be extended if the student pursues a Ph.D., contingent upon the availability of additional funds. The annual support package includes a US$20,000 stipend, tuition remission ($13,000), and health insurance ($1,700).