Staff/Student Openings in the Research Group

Join the Team

Interested in joining the CryoBioGeosensing group?Ìý

We are always looking for motivated undergraduate and graduate students.

How to Apply:

  1. Review: Read our recent publications and active grants to understand our current research scope.
  2. Prepare: A detailed resume and a statement of interest.
  3. Connect: Email Dr. Khan highlighting how your experience and enthusiasm align with our work.

Ìý

PhD Positions in Remote Sensing and/or Biogeochemistry

Start Date: Fall 2027 (Options available to begin research earlier)

Degree Programs: Flexible home departments

I am seeking motivated PhD students to join the lab group starting in Fall 2027. Our work sits at the intersection of remote sensing, biogeochemistry, and Earth system science. Given the interdisciplinary nature of our research, incoming students have flexible degree home options to align with their academic background and long-term career goals. Candidates interested in starting research ahead of the Fall term are encouraged to state when they would be available to start.

Degree option 1:Aerospace Engineering Sciences (AES) with a focus on Remote Sensing Earth and Space Sciences. AES has no pre-reqs for the PhD.Ìý

Degree option 2:Environmental Engineering. Please consult Section 2.1.1 of the Environmental Engineering (EVEN) grad handbook for pre-reqs, if coming in with a degree other than EVEN.Ìý

Benefits:ÌýThe positions will come with full tuition payment, 90% health care coverage, an academic year stipendÌýwith aÌýminimum-monthly stipend around $3,224/month, and a relocation scholarship to assist with moving expenses, that is typically around $5,000.ÌýÌýThere is potential for fieldwork and data collection in polar and alpine environments on federally funded awards in Antarctica and Greenland. If applying during a normal AY cycle, top applicants will be invited to a student recruitment weekend in February.

General position descriptions and minimum/preferred qualifications are described below.Ìý

PhD Position 1: Remote Sensing of the Cryosphere

Responsibilities:ÌýThe successful candidate will explore darkening of the cryosphere (with a focus on Antarctica and Greenland) using a combination of multi- and hyperspectral imaging collected with UASs and spaceborne platforms.ÌýÌýThe student will be part of the Remote Sensing and Earth Observation focus area within the Aerospace Engineering Sciences Department and College of Engineering and Applied Sciences at CU-Boulder. This position may involve fieldwork through the inclusion of UAS-based data collection.Ìý

Minimum Qualifications for Remote Sensing focused PhD:

  • A bachelor’s degree in science or engineering.
  • Strong scientific programming skills with languages such as Python or Matlab.
  • Strong writing skills.
  • Ability to lift ~50 pounds and conduct fieldwork in low temperature environments. ÌýÌý
  • Valid Driver’s LicenseÌý

Preferred Qualifications for Remote Sensing focused PhD:

  • Experience with geospatial data analysis or demonstration of coursework.
  • Experience with ArcGIS.
  • Experience operating drones/UASs.
  • Teaching/mentoring experience in an academic or experiential setting.
  • Previous professional (or personal) experience in snowy low-temperature environments.
  • Demonstrated experience leading or contributing to peer-reviewed publications.
PhD Position 2: Snow Algae and Biogeochemistry (focus on field/lab, with remote sensing connections).

PhD Responsibilities:ÌýThe successful candidate will explore darkening of the cryosphere due to light absorbing particles like snow and ice algae, dust, and black carbon, using cutting-edge laboratory analyses applied to snow and ice samples. It is highly likely and encouragedÌýfor remote sensing techniques to be incorporated as well. The student will be part of the Remote Sensing and Earth Observation focus area within the Aerospace Engineering Sciences Department (or Environmental Engineering Program) within the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences at CU-Boulder. The position will likely include the opportunity for polar fieldwork (with a focus on Antarctica and Greenland)Ìýfor snow and ice sample collection.

Minimum Qualifications for Snow Biogeochemistry focused PhD:

  • A bachelor’s degree in science or engineering.
  • Research experience in a wet lab environments.
  • Strong writing skills.
  • Valid Driver’s License.
  • Strong interest in working in the polar regions.Ìý
  • Ability to lift ~50 pounds and conduct fieldwork in low temperature environments.

Preferred Qualifications:Ìý

  • Strong analytical or environmental chemistry laboratory experience.
  • Teaching/mentoring experience in an academic or experiential setting
  • Ability/interest in contributing to connections with the Remote Sensing applications
    • Scientific programming skills with languages such as Python, Matlab and/or R.
    • Experience with geospatial data analysis, or demonstration of coursework
    • Experience with ArcGIS.
    • Experience operating drones/UASs
  • Previous professional (or personal) field experience in snowy low-temperature environments
  • Demonstrated experience leading or contributing to peer-reviewed publications.

CU-Boulder Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences (AES): TheÌýAerospace Engineering Sciences DepartmentÌýis consistently ranked among the top aerospace programs in the U.S. For more information on the AES PhD program, refer to the 2025-2026 AES Graduate Handbook.Ìý

CU-Boulder Environmental Engineering program (EVEN): The CU-EVEN program is also consistently ranked among the top Environmental Engineering graduate programs. EVEN Graduate Handbook.

Students will also be encouraged to pursue the other offerings within the College of Engineering for Applied Sciences, such as the Graduate Certificate in Global EngineeringÌý