PhD Opportunity (Fall 2025)

The Hydro-Biogeochemistry Lab in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) is seeking one or two PhD students to begin Fall 2025. The position will be fully funded through a combination of research and teaching assistantships. We are specifically looking for applicants interested in the interactions between hydrology and nitrogen biogeochemistry in agricultural ecosystems. The selected individual will lead efforts to examine environmentally and climatically critical nitrogen cycling processes under dynamic hydrological conditions using stable isotopes (nitrate, nitrous oxide, and water), high-frequency hydrochemical sensors, and data-driven modeling approaches.

Candidates from diverse disciplinary backgrounds are welcome. Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Dr. Zhongjie Yu at zjyu@illinois.edu with the following attachments: (1) a brief statement of research interests and experience, (2) resume/CV, and (3) contact information for 2 professional references. The Yu lab is motivated to maintain a diverse and inclusive lab environment; students from under-represented groups are encouraged to apply.

Official applications are due by March 15, 2025.