The Department of Geography and Geology at Western Kentucky University is seeking applicants for a working graduate student (M.S.) position on a NASA-funded project. The project entails studying climate downscaling of selected IPCC AR4 simulations and projections for high-resolution regional applications in regional climate analysis, land-surface modeling, and ultimately forest and ecosystem modeling in the northern Gulf of Mexico region. The major areas of this study include numerical model simulations and synthesis analysis of both climate data and model output, as well as large data set manipulation.

Motivated candidates with degrees in atmospheric science, geoscience, or other relevant subjects, with coursework in mathematics and physics are encouraged to apply. Programming in FORTRAN and knowledge of UNIX/Linux is required and numerical modeling experience with the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, Mesoscale Model 5 (MM5), Community Climate System Model (CCSM), etc., is desirable.

The starting date is negotiable, but as early as possible is preferred. Annual student assistantship package is $15,000, including $10,000 stipend and $5,000 tuition waiver. Interested individuals please contact Dr. Xingang Fan for further information.