NEW: PhD Opportunity in Palynology, Remote Sensing, and AI-Driven Biomass Reconstruction

Start Date: Spring or Fall 2026
Location: Department of Geosciences, Auburn University, USA
Advisor: Qiang Yao, Assistant Professor of Human-Environmental Interactions, qiy0002@auburn.edu

Research Focuses:
We invite applications for a fully funded PhD position in the field of paleoecology and quantitative
ecosystem analysis. The successful candidate will participate in NSF-funded projects that integrates:
1.Palynology – analysis of pollen records from coastal and terrestrial sediment cores to reconstruct vegetation and climate history.
2.Remote Sensing & UAV Surveys – high-resolution drone and satellite mapping of mangrove aboveground biomass.
3.AI-Driven Modeling – developing pollen–biomass transfer functions and machine-learning models to quantify vegetation change and carbon dynamics through time.

Qualifications:
1.Applicants should hold a Master’s degree (by August 2026) in Earth sciences, environmental science, geography, remote sensing, data science, or related fields.
2.Demonstrated experience in palynology and/or microfossil analysis, including sample preparation and microscopic identification.
3.Strong quantitative skills and proficiency in R, Python, or MATLAB for numerical modeling.
4.Experience with GIS and spatial data integration (ArcGIS/QGIS) is highly desirable.
5.Field and laboratory experience in sediment coring and UAV is highly desirable.
6.International applicants should meet Auburn University’s English proficiency requirements (e.g., IELTS ≥ 6.5 or TOEFL ≥ 80).

Funding:
This PhD assistantship provides full 12-month support ($26,541/yr + 3% merit increase annually) for three years, with tuition waiver, travel/conference stipend, and research expenses. Exceptional applicants will be supported to apply for additional competitive fellowships and post-doctoral opportunities.

How to Apply:
Please email the following materials in one PDF file to Dr. Qiang Yao at [qiy0002@auburn.edu]:
1.Curriculum Vitae (CV)
2.Academic transcripts (undergraduate and master’s)
3.A short statement of research interests and relevant experiences

For details about the Department of Geosciences, please visit
https://www.auburn.edu/cosam/departments/geosciences/index.htm
For details about our graduate program, including instructions for how to apply, please visit
https://www.auburn.edu/cosam/departments/geosciences/graduate_programs/index.htm