Staff/Student Openings in the Research Group

Lab/project Manager

I am currently recruiting a lab/project manager to begin in early 2026 to assist with field planning for upcoming polar field campaigns, as well as getting analytical methods off the ground at CU Boulder. The full job description can be found here: https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/?jobId=68384. Applications are due by 11/25.

Two Open PhD Positions

(*There is potential for an eager incoming PhD student to begin as early as Jan 2026.). Both winter '26 and fall '26 applications are due by 12/1.

Position descriptions and minimum/preferred qualifications are described below. 

Benefits: The positions will come with full tuition payment, 90% health care coverage, an academic year stipend with a minimum-monthly stipend around $3,224/month, and a relocation scholarship to assist with moving expenses, that is typically around $5,000.  There is potential for fieldwork and data collection in polar and alpine environments on federally funded awards in Antarctica and Greenland. Top applicants will be invited to a student recruitment weekend Feb 13th.

CU-Boulder Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences (AES): The Aerospace Engineering Sciences Department is consistently ranked among the top aerospace programs in the U.S. For more information on the AES PhD program, refer to the 2025-2026 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 Engineering and Environmental Engineering Program. 

How to Apply: To learn more about the research, please visit this site. To be formally accepted to the PhD program, a full application must be submitted by Dec. 1st. If interested in a Winter ’26 start, schedule a Zoom meeting ahead of the application deadline, before Nov. 21st. Send your CV and statement of interest addressing minimum and preferred qualifications listed above with the header ‘Prospective PhD student - Winter 26, Position 1 or 2’ to: alia.khan@colorado.edu. Please also note if you are available to begin research and fieldwork in summer 2026 and if you are interested in international polar fieldwork (pending physical qualification through the US Antarctic Program).  Zoom meetings for Fall ’26 start dates will be scheduled after the application deadline. 

Position 1 Responsibilities: The successful candidate will explore darkening of the cryosphere (with a focus on Antarctica and Greenland) using multi- and hyperspectral imaging collected with UASs and spaceborne platforms.  The 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 will likely involve fieldwork through the inclusion of UAS-based data collection. 

Minimum Qualifications Position 1:

  • A bachelor’s degree in engineering or physical sciences, or a related field.
  • 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.   
  • Valid Driver’s License 

Preferred Qualifications Position 1:

  • Experience with geospatial data analysis, or demonstration of coursework
  • Experience with ArGIS and/or ENVI
  • Experience operating drones/UASs
  • Teaching/mentoring experience in an academic or experiential setting
  • Previous field experience in snowy low-temperature environments
  • Demonstrated experience leading or contributing to peer-reviewed publications.

Position 2 Responsibilities: The 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 encouraged for 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) for snow and ice sample collection.

Minimum Qualifications Position 2:

  • A bachelor’s degree in engineering or physical sciences, or a related field.
  • Research experience in a wet lab environment.
  • Research/coursework in environmental engineering, aquatic chemistry, biology, or environmental sciences.
  • Strong writing skills.
  • Valid Driver’s License
  • Ability to lift ~50 pounds and conduct fieldwork in low temperature environments.

Preferred Qualifications Position 2: 

  • 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.
    • Experience with geospatial data analysis, or demonstration of coursework
    • Experience with ArGIS and/or ENVI
    • Experience operating drones/UASs
  • Previous field experience in snowy low-temperature environments
  • Demonstrated experience leading or contributing to peer-reviewed publications.