Fully Funded PhD Position – Coastal Geomorphology | University of Maryland Job College Park area,Maryland USA,Research/Development

Fully Funded PhD Position – Coastal Geomorphology | University of Maryland

Institution: University of Maryland, College Park – Department of Geographical Sciences

Location: College Park, Maryland, USA

The Department of Geographical Sciences at the University of Maryland, College Park
, is recruiting 1–2 fully funded PhD students to join the research group of Dr. Danghan Xie
, beginning in Fall 2027
.

The research focuses on understanding coastal morphodynamics, sediment transport, coastal hazards, wetland evolution, and coastal processes using field observations, geospatial data, and process-based and data-driven modeling approaches.

Funding is provided through a teaching and/or research assistantship
, including a stipend and full tuition remission
.

What You’ll Work On

Investigate coastal morphodynamics and sediment transport to understand how coastal landscapes evolve over time.

Study coastal flooding and coastal hazards and develop approaches for assessing coastal vulnerability and risk.

Coastal Wetland Dynamics

Research coastal wetland evolution and dynamics
, examining the physical processes that influence coastal ecosystems.

Geospatial & Remote Sensing Analysis

Integrate LiDAR, satellite imagery, drone data, and field observations with coastal process models to understand coastal environments.

Coastal Process Modeling

Develop and apply process-based, data-driven, and physics-guided models for coastal system analysis and prediction.

Quantitative Research

Use quantitative and computational approaches to analyze coastal processes, environmental data, and geomorphic change.

Ideal Candidates

Applicants should hold a B.S. or M.S. degree in one of the following or a related field:

Geography
Oceanography
Related disciplines

Preferred skills include:

Hydrodynamics
Sediment transport
Geomorphology
Numerical modeling
GIS
Remote sensing
Geospatial data analysis
Programming with Python, MATLAB, R, or similar tools

Students with strengths in either process-based modeling or geospatial/data analysis who are interested in developing complementary skills are particularly encouraged to apply.

What You’ll Gain

Opportunity to conduct research in coastal geomorphology and environmental sciences
.
Fully funded PhD support through a teaching and/or research assistantship
.
Stipend and full tuition remission
.
Opportunity to work with coastal process models and geospatial datasets.
Experience integrating field observations, LiDAR, satellite, and drone data
.
Training in numerical modeling, GIS, remote sensing, and quantitative analysis.
Opportunity to work in a collaborative research environment near the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area
.
Exposure to interdisciplinary research involving coastal processes, hazards, wetlands, and environmental change.

Program: PhD in Geographical Sciences

Funding: Fully Funded

Funding Type: Teaching and/or Research Assistantship

Tuition: Full Tuition Remission

Stipend: Provided through the assistantship

Positions: 1–2 PhD Students

Start Term: Fall 2027

Location: College Park, Maryland, USA

About the PI

Dr. Danghan Xie is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geographical Sciences at the University of Maryland, College Park
.

His research integrates coastal process modeling, field observations, and geospatial data to understand coastal morphodynamics, sediment transport, wetland evolution, and coastal hazards.