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, 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. Deadline to apply: November 14, 2025. 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.