PhD student Opportunity: Predicting pine forest snow distribution with satellite remote

sensing: Northern Arizona University (NAU) will sponsor a PhD student via a Bureau of
Reclamation (BOR)-funded project in the Coconino National Forest and NAUs Centennial
Forest. The overall objective of the project is to evaluate the effects of pine forest restoration
treatments on snow accumulation and soil moisture as key parts of the water balance.
Specifically, NAU proposes to: 1) couple remote sensing data analysis with field measurements,
2) analyze spatial relationships among forest pattern, topography, snow distribution, and soil
moisture using geospatial statistics, and 3) develop a predictive model of snow distribution and
soil moisture responses to various forest restoration treatments and the consequent patterns of
canopy openings.
The position pays full tuition, health insurance, and stipend for living expenses. Student
will work 20 hrs per week on the project and complete dissertation research on the subject. The
project will be guided by NAU faculty member Dr. Temuulen Sankey. Applicants for the PhD
program should have good understanding of remote sensing and soils, and previous experience in
image processing and GIS. The funding is for 3 years starting in spring of 2014. Additional
funding may be available via teaching assistantships. Potential applicants must contact Dr.
Temuulen Sankey (Temuulen.Sankey@nau.edu) as soon as possible to be accepted by January
2014. The PhD application process for NAU can be found at
http://nau.edu/CEFNS/NatSci/SESES/Degrees-Programs/Graduate/.