Recruiting Wundergrads for Two Funded MS Positions

[Blount, Kyle]

Hi all,

I am reaching out to see if you might have any undergrads who would be interested in completing a thesis-based Master's in my lab. I anticipate hiring two MS students (at UIS, we use the term "Graduate Research Assistant", or GRA) beginning Fall 2026 as follows:

• One GRA on NSF-funded project for two years of MS study (covers stipend and tuition)
• Quick intro to the project is here https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2432654&HistoricalAwards=false 
• Tasks primarily include field work, site maintenance, data downloads and maintenance, and data analysis — could potentially involve some remote sensing and/or microclimate modeling depending on the GRA's interest and skillset; I will be hiring a Postdoc on this project as well to finish up
• One GRA on an Internal Research Fellowship (covers stipend and tuition)
• This position will likely support and contribute to the NSF project above but will have some flexibility towards designing their own project along the same themes, ideally either completing microclimate modeling or field work of urban ET

The expectation for either position would be to join the UIS M.S. Program in Environmental Sciences and complete a Thesis as a closure. There's more information for prospective students here: https://www.uis.edu/environmental-studies/prospective-students. Another great opportunity for funding here is our Graduate Public Service Internship program (https://www.uis.edu/gradinterns/gpsi-program), which can also pay a stipend and tuition for the M.S. degree at UIS.

To be included in the eligible applicant pool, students must apply to the MS program and (at the same time) indicate their interest in GA and GRA positions (and make sure you complete the questionnaire and provide all three references). The deadline to be in this pool is March 15, but there will be another round of hiring in May/June if the positions are not filled in March.

Please let me know if you have any questions, encourage interested students to reach out, and share with other colleagues who might have interested students! I want to make sure to get some stellar folks in these positions!

Kyle

Kyle Blount, Ph.D. ​​(they/them)

Assistant Professor of Ecohydrology, University of Illinois Springfield

Water and Terrestrial Ecohydrology for Resilience (WATER) Lab

Website | Bluesky | Request a meeting | Request a reference letter

[Blount, Kyle]

Greetings,

I am excited to be recruiting a second M.S. Student and a Postdoc to join me at the University of Illinois Springfield beginning Fall 2026. Details on each position provided below:

• M.S. Student/Graduate Research Assistant (GRA)
• Internally funded (stipend + tuition waiver) for two academic years, with separate funding available for summer

• This position will likely support and contribute to my NSF project but will have some flexibility towards designing their own project along themes aligned with my lab and urban ecohydrology

• Will complete an M.S. in Environmental Sciences and a Thesis as a closure

• To be included in the eligible applicant pool, students must apply to the MS program in Environmental Sciences and (at the same time) complete their application for  GA/GPSI positions, including the questionnaire and three reference letters.
• https://www.uis.edu/apply

• The deadline to be in the pool of eligible candidates, which occurs when a student (a) is admitted to the MS program AND (b) completes the GA/GPSI application, is May 15. Interviews and hiring will occur in June. 
  
  
• Postdoctoral Research Fellow 
• Funded by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation for one year (UIS-wide postdoctoral opportunity)

• Applicants must choose from one of five mentors/projects; those interested in working with me should select my project during the application process.

• Potential for funding extension through several avenues, including proposal co-development

• Focus on scaling ecohydrological functioning across urban landscapes and evaluating the impacts of water restrictions on urban heat under varying climate conditions. 

• Research is the primary task associated with the appointment, but opportunities to contribute and grow in teaching, mentorship, and research-focused service may also be possible. 

• Application is through the link below (deadline is April 15), and selection will occur by a larger committee, not individual PIs.
• https://uis.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/1207?c=uis

Note that applications for both positions must be submitted as described above, not via email. I am happy to answer questions regarding the positions to the best of my ability. 

Please share widely with potential candidates.

Thanks,