Student Research Opportunities

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Modern earth science is quantitative, process-oriented, and multi-faceted in ways that demand a global, interdisciplinary approach. As a graduate student at UW, you'll work closely with faculty who are tackling some of the most important problems in earth science today, from quantifying the strength of plate boundaries to developing strategies for sequestration of carbon from Earth's atmosphere. Some of these problems are best addressed in our backyard -- the fabulous natural laboratory of the Rocky Mountains -- but many require research in more distant locales. At UW, you get the best of both worlds.

If you're looking for graduate school opportunities, we invite you to contact the faculty member(s) working in your field of interest.

Research Opportunities for 2010–2011

  • Passive Source Seismology Student Wanted: Need 1–2 graduate students, either Ph.D. or M.S., to work on Colorado Rocky Mountains seismic project or two large passive source deployment projects in review in Colorado, Texas, and Idaho. See project descriptions at Associate Professor Ken Dueker's personal website.

  • Graduate student research in surface processes: Assistant Professor Cliff Riebe is seeking applications from prospective graduate students for work starting August, 2010 on weathering and erosion in the Southern Sierra Critical Zone Observatory. Students with a background in subsurface characterization using shallow geophysics and familiarity with geochemical analysis techniques are especially encouraged to apply. Please contact Cliff for details.

  • Graduate student research in geologic carbon sequestration: Associate Professor John Kaszuba seeks graduate students for research on 1) geologic sequestration of impure CO2; and 2) potential impacts of geologic carbon sequestration to drinking-water resources. Students with a background or interest and aptitude for geochemistry are encouraged to apply.  Students familiar with quantitative geochemical analysis and/or experimental geochemistry are especially encouraged to apply. These projects begin June 1, 2010. Please contact John for details.

  • Graduate student research in isotope geology and geologic carbon sequestration: Associate Professors John Kaszuba and Ken Sims seek graduate students for a new project that will apply U-series isotope geochemistry to CO2-rich volcanic systems and geologic carbon sequestration in field and laboratory settings. Students with a background or interest and aptitude for geochemistry are encouraged to apply. Students familiar with isotope geology, quantitative geochemical analysis, and/or experimental geochemistry are especially encouraged to apply. This project begins June 1, 2010. Please contact John or Ken for details.

  • Graduate student research in Greenland: Professor Neil Humphrey is looking for two or three graduate students to work on a major new research program in Greenland. The research will be the first attempt to drill through the Greenland Icesheet with the objective of directly researching the coupling between the basal hydrology and ice flow dynamics. Field work in Greenland is required. The project is funded for four years. A wide range of scientific questions will be addressed covering: hydraulics and non-linear flow physics, geochemistry, isotopic dating and various types of modeling. Contact Neil for more information.

  • Graduate student research in geothermal energy: Associate Professor John Kaszuba seeks graduate students for geothermal research. This new project will explore fundamental aspects of supercritical carbon dioxide-water-rock interactions in Enhanced Geothermal Systems. The project is a collaborative effort that focuses on experimental geochemistry at the University of Wyoming and the development of computer models at the University of Utah. Students with a background or interest and aptitude for geochemistry are encouraged to apply. Students familiar with quantitative geochemical analysis and/or experimental geochemistry are especially encouraged to apply. This project begins June 1, 2010. Please contact John for details.