Two PhD Positions in Coastal Engineering at Stanford University
Christine M Baker
Dear Colleagues,
I am pleased to announce an opportunity for two prospective PhD students in my research group within the Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Stanford
University. All students that are enthusiastic about coastal processes and engineering are encouraged to apply!
About The Baker Coastal Lab: My research group is broadly interested in wave breaking and circulation dynamics
in coastal regions, and their influence on sediment, pollutant, and particle transport. Led by Dr. Christine M Baker, we will integrate laboratory experimentation with numerical modeling and remotely sensed field observations to advance our knowledge of coastal
hydrodynamics and engineering. We aim to build an inclusive research group and encourage applicants from groups traditionally underrepresented within STEM. To learn more about the lab and upcoming projects, visit my lab website: www.baker-coastal-lab.com.
Call for PhD Students: I am seeking two PhD students to start in Fall 2024 on the following projects:
- Wave-driven sediment transport: Waves can rapidly change our coastal landscapes, threatening communities and infrastructure. This project aims to define the relative contributions of sea swell and infragravity waves on sediment suspension and transport near the onset of breaking. The PhD student will lead the collection and analysis of remotely sensed and in situ observations of wave and sediment processes in large-scale laboratory experiments. The student will closely collaborate with a team from the University of Washington to apply findings to inform numerical model parameterizations.
- Wave breaking and circulation dynamics: Breaking waves in the surf zone drive circulation patterns, including eddies and rip currents, that transport pollutants, larvae, and terrestrial runoff within the nearshore environment. This project aims to characterize surf-zone eddy dynamics and their implications for material transport in varying nearshore environments. The PhD student will be free to study various aspects of eddy dynamics, primarily via laboratory experiments, paired with numerical modeling or remotely sensed field observations. The student will gain a holistic understanding of transport pathways within the nearshore and approach questions through an interdisciplinary perspective.
These positions will be funded via a combination of research and teaching assistantships, which include full tuition support, stipend, benefits, and travel support. We encourage motivated and creative applicants with the following qualifications:
- a graduate or undergraduate degree in Coastal/Civil/Environmental/Mechanical Engineering or related fields, such as Oceanography, Physics, Earth/Marine Science, Applied Mathematics, etc.
- strong technical writing and oral communication skills and/or desire to learn in these areas
- experience with statistical analysis and familiarity with coding data analysis and/or desire to learn in these areas
- an ability to work in a collaborative team environment
How to Apply: Prospective PhD students
are encouraged to apply to the
Civil and Environmental Engineering PhD program. Please mention Dr. Christine M Baker in your statement of purpose. Applications are due Dec. 5, 2023.
Contact: Interested candidates are encouraged to email Dr. Baker (bak...@stanford.edu)
prior to applying with the subject “Prospective PhD student in Stanford CEE” and include their CV, information on their background (education, coursework, relevant previous research or work experience), and a description of how their interests align with these
projects. All emails will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Please reach out if you have any questions.
Best,
Christine Baker
Christine M Baker (she/her)
Acting Assistant Professor
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Stanford University