The Center for Watershed Sciences (CWS; https://watershed.ucdavis.edu) at the University of California, Davis invites applications for 2-3 funded M.S. research positions. The graduate student researchers will collaborate with CWS researchers and with biologists and engineers at the US Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) to design and conduct a research project that addresses high-priority knowledge gaps pertinent to water operations, aquatic ecosystem management, and/or fish conservation in Central California. Students will enroll in either the Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) graduate program (https://cee.engineering.ucdavis.edu/graduate) or the Ecology graduate program (https://ecology.ucdavis.edu). It is expected that CEE students will pursue a Plan I (Thesis) track. Research topics for an engineering student may include hydrologic modeling, parameter uncertainty, forecasting, and system optimization. Research topics for an ecology student may include fish movement and population ecology, trophic/foodweb ecology, and restoration ecology.

This is a two-year position beginning Fall 2026. During the summer, students will continue their research work at the USBR office in Sacramento, which will provide a unique opportunity to learn about careers in the field. Students will receive academic supervision from Faculty and Senior Researchers affiliated with CWS, possibly including Jon Herman, Alvar Escriva-Bou, Carson Jeffres, John Durand, and Jonathan Walter.

How to apply:

Interested applicants are requested to send a cover letter and resume/CV to Program Coordinator Pernille Sporon Bøving boving@ucdavis.edu. The cover letter should be no longer than 2 pages and should address your research experience, research interests, and how this position aligns with your career goals. In addition, applicants must formally apply to either the CEE or Ecology graduate program (https://grad.ucdavis.edu/apply). The CEE graduate program has an application deadline of 2/1/2026 (priority deadline 12/15/2025), and the Ecology graduate program has an application deadline of 12/1/2025.