Fluvial Geomorphology Graduate Research Assistantship, University of Colorado Boulder

Boulder, Colorado

Position Title: Fluvial Geomorphology Graduate Research Assistantship

Organization: University of Colorado Boulder Department of Geography 

Location: Boulder, Colorado

Organization Overview: Rivers integrate the landscape, carrying and depositing water, sediment, large wood, carbon, and nutrients. The fluvial geomorphology research group’s work is focused on river and floodplain dynamics and the interactions between geomorphic processes and ecological processes. They are particularly interested in the influence of river and floodplain processes on the flux and storage of organic carbon in floodplain soil and large wood; interactions between downed large wood, vegetation, and geomorphic processes; river and floodplain dynamics in the Sub-Arctic and Arctic; and coupled natural-human systems research related to rivers.

CU Boulder’s geography department brings a holistic perspective to the physical and human processes that shape the world, and they strive to understand how people interact with, are shaped by, and in turn help shape, the world. Their teaching and research span an exceptional array of disciplines and excel at providing field-oriented, hands-on experience. The department trains students in a friendly, well-supported environment to be top scientists as well as citizens of the broader world to which everyone is connected.

Position Overview: Dr. Katherine B. Lininger is looking for graduate students to join a fluvial geomorphology research group at the University of Colorado Boulder in the Department of Geography beginning Summer or Fall 2024. There are multiple projects with graduate research assistant support, including assessing the impact of human modifications to river corridors on floodplain carbon storage across regions using fieldwork, laboratory analyses, and geospatial modeling; estimating watershed-scale storage of water and sediment due to beaver activity using field data and modeling approaches (in collaboration with Dr. Joel Sholtes at CU-Boulder/Colorado Mesa University); and determining river corridor response to low head dam removal in high-gradient streams using fieldwork and morphodynamic modeling (in collaboration with Dr. Charlie Shobe at the US Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station, with a start date of Summer 2024).

Qualifications: Applicants to the University of Colorado Boulder Department of Geography’s graduate program are admitted based on:

  • A match of the applicant’s stated interest with faculty expertise.
  • Quality of academic record.
  • Performance on standardized exams (GRE/TOEFL.

For more details on qualifications, visit the graduate admissions page.

Anticipated Start Dates: Summer/Fall 2024

Application Deadline: December 1

How to Apply: Send a CV and general description of background and interests to Katherine Lininger at katherine.lininger@colorado.edu

University of Colorado Boulder requires 3 letters of recommendation, a statement of intent, and other relevant experience as a part of admissions criteria.