GRADUATE OPPORTUNITY
Position: Remote Sensing of Riparian Tree Species
Entity: Boise State University
Location: Idaho, US
Salary: $33,000/year
Deadline: January 5, 2026
Description:
We are recruiting a Ph.D. student to join a research team developing remote sensing tools to support climate-smart land management in the western United States. The student will work at the intersection of ecology, geospatial data science, & agricultural sustainability, contributing to ongoing USDA-funded research on monitoring & restoring mesic & riparian ecosystems. The selected student will focus on applying remote sensing & machine learning to develop high-resolution tree species classification models in riparian habitats.
Potential research directions include:
-Developing deep learning & transfer-learning models to classify riparian tree species & woody vegetation using fused lidar–optical–radar data.
-Quantifying spatiotemporal patterns of woody vegetation recovery in restored mesic systems.
-Linking tree species distributions to carbon storage, water availability, & biodiversity services in agricultural landscapes; among others.
Qualifications:
-Remote sensing & geospatial analysis.
-Machine learning or deep learning workflows.
-Image classification, lidar processing, or multisensor data fusion.
-Ecology of riparian or mesic ecosystems (desired but not required).
-Strong quantitative, computational, & programming skills (Python, R, GEE).
-Preferred applicants will have a Master’s degree & prior research experience in remote sensing, spatial data science, ecological modeling, or related fields.
How to Apply:
-Submit the following as a single PDF (include your last name in the file name): Cover letter describing your qualifications, research experience, & career goals; Curriculum vitae; Names & contact information for 3 references; Unofficial transcripts.
-Email applications to Dr. Trevor Caughlin [trevorcaughlin@boisestate.edu] with the subject line: “PhD application – EEB program”.
