Opportunities

We are recruiting a fully funded Ph.D. student (Fall 2026) and a two-year Postdoctoral Scholar to join the EcoClimate AI Lab in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Houston. Our lab investigates how ecosystems respond to climate dynamics and disturbances (e.g., wildfire, flooding, land-use and land-cover change) through the carbon-water-energy nexus, with a particular focus on wetlands and forests. Details about our research and open positions can be found on our lab website. Successful candidates will join a collaborative and interdisciplinary team, with opportunities to work closely with collaborators at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Stanford University, UT Austin, and beyond.

🎓 Ph.D. Student

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Strong intellectual curiosity and self-motivation for scientific research.
  • Proficiency in Python programming and familiarity with machine learning.
  • Interest in Earth and environmental sciences, atmospheric science, land-atmosphere interactions, ecosystem ecology, remote sensing, or GIS.

Applicants must meet UH Graduate School admission requirements (including TOEFL/IELTS for international applicants). For full consideration as a Research Assistantship (RA), we encourage you to contact Dr. Kunxiaojia Yuan at kyuan@central.uh.edu, as early as possible.

🧑‍🔬 Postdoc Position

The anticipated project duration is two years, with the possibility of extension depending on performance and funding availability. The start date is flexible, but no later than Fall 2026.

Potential Research Topics (not limited to):

  • Ecosystem carbon, water, and energy cycles
  • Extreme events and disturbance ecology (e.g., flood, wildfire)

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Strong programming skills or
  • Experience in field measurements (e.g., eddy covariance, chamber) or
  • Modeling skills (e.g., machine learning, process-based models) or
  • Remote sensing and GIS

We welcome research ideas beyond these examples, as long as they align with the lab’s mission. The position allows flexibility for the researcher to shape the project direction based on their interests and expertise.

📬 How to apply

Please email Dr. Kunxiaojia Yuan (kyuan@central.uh.edu) with a single PDF containing:

  • CV
  • Transcript
  • Cover letter (1–2 pages) outlining your research experience, skills, and future interests
  • Contact information for three references.

Please indicate your name and the position you are applying for in the email subject line (e.g., [Your name] - [PhD or Postdoc Application]). Applications received by November 9, 2025, will receive full consideration. Review will continue until the position is filled. Competitive applicants will be guided through the formal application process via the University of Houston system.

🏫 About UH

The Department of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Houston is a large, well-funded department within a top-tier R1 research institution. Students and postdocs benefit from outstanding research resources, internship opportunities, and professional networking opportunities, which lead to a strong job placement record. Houston, the fourth-largest city in the United States, is a vibrant, diverse metropolitan area famous for its world-class museums and arts, championship sports teams, and an exceptional food scene. Despite its rapid growth, Houston remains one of the most affordable major cities in the U.S., offering an excellent quality of life.

UH campus