Research opportunities are available in the Climate Research Lab for interested students. Please see more information below for undergraduate and graduate students.

Available AY 2027-28 Research Assistant Positions

Undergraduate Assistantships

Check back later, or see information below.

Graduate Assistantships

The CRL will be recruiting multiple M.S. graduate students for the 2027-2028 academic year. Two research assistant positions are anticipated to be available, focused on the projects listed below. Opportunities for teaching assistant positions are also available. Interested students are encouraged to first read more details about the projects on the CRL's website, and then inquire with Dr. Suriano via email for more information.

Position #1: The student will support a National Science Foundation CAREER award examining the atmospheric and energetic conditions leading to rapid snowmelt and rain-on-snow in the mid-latitudes within the historical past and in future climate simulations. This will include assessment of temporal and spatial variability and trends within the atmospheric types’ frequency, timing, and inherent meteorological conditions (energetic fluxes, snowmelt intensity, etc.) in domains ranging from regional to hemispheric in scope. 

Position #2: The student will support a current National Science Foundation EPSCoR Track 1 award building climatic resilience to hazardous conditions in Kentucky. The project the student will primarily contribute to is assessing how the meteorological conditions known to cause heavy and extreme precipitation in Kentucky (and the surrounding region) are projected to vary and change with time throughout the remainder of the 21st century using high-resolution, dynamically downscaled model output. 

For Undergraduate Students

If you are interested in an undergraduate research position in the lab, please email Dr. Suriano to find a time to discuss your interests and how they overlap with the research foci in the CRL. Previous research experience is not necessary. There are opportunities to receive funding for a project (FUSE), or course credit if desired. 

If you are interested in majoring in Meteorology, Disaster Science, EESS, Dr. Suriano is happy to discuss opportunities within these programs with you or put you in touch with the program directors. Further information about Dr. Suriano's teaching.

For Graduate Students

If you are interested in pursuing a Masters degree in Geoscience or a Masters degree in Disaster Science at WKU, please contact Dr. Suriano via email to discuss how your interests may overlap, and the logistics of applying to the program(s). Graduate students who work with Dr. Suriano are expected to conduct original research and complete a thesis.