Prospective Graduate Students
PhD Opportunity in Regional Water Quality Modeling
The Integrated Systems Hydrology Lab at the University of South Carolina is seeking a funded PhD to join the School of the Earth, Ocean & Environment (SEOE) starting Fall 2026.
The student will apply machine learning models to evaluate EPA-regulated water quality parameters across the state of South Carolina. This work aims to develop usable, decision-support water quality models that directly inform water management and serve as practical tools for users. We welcome highly motivated students interested in interdisciplinary computational hydrology.
Experience or strong interest in developing expertise in machine learning, python, and hydrologic modeling is required.
About SEOE & Research Opportunities
The SEOE is a multidisciplinary unit within the College of Arts and Sciences, supporting research and degree programs in geological sciences, marine sciences, and environmental social and natural sciences. Students will also have the opportunity to collaborate with the Institute for Clean Water, a partnership between USC and the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services, focused on advancing scientific and socioeconomic water quality research.
Contact Us
If interested, please email Dr. Dylan Blaskey (dblaskey@sc.edu). In your email, explain what research topics excite you and why. If your interests differ from your previous work, let me know what draws you to this new area. Professors receive many inquiries (sometimes over 100) about graduate opportunities, so a thoughtful, personalized message will help you stand out. Please also attach your CV so there is no need for an extensive discussion of your background in the email.
Please write your message yourself. AI tools can be helpful for editing and polishing, but they shouldn’t generate the content for you. AI emails are usually vague because they do not contain genuine personalization, so they are easy to spot. If you put time and energy into your message, I will do the same in replying. Otherwise, your message may not receive a response.
We look forward to hearing from you!