Illinois Hydro-Biogeochemistry Lab — Two Fully Funded Fall 2027 PhDs
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Dr Zhongjie Yu’s Hydro-Biogeochemistry Lab at Illinois seeks two fully funded Fall 2027 PhD students to study watershed nitrogen transport. Contact the professor before applying; 15 December 2026 is the deadline for full funding consideration.
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Hydro-Biogeochemistry Lab is recruiting two doctoral researchers for an NSF CAREER project on watershed nitrogen reactive transport. Students will investigate isotope effects in microbial nitrogen transformations and build conceptual or process-based water–nitrogen models. Depending on interests, work may use stable isotopes, 15N tracers, hydrochemical sensors, field and lab methods, and data-driven modelling. The official lab page asks candidates to contact Dr Zhongjie Yu before submitting an NRES PhD application.
Source and verification
Check the current official call before applying
Recorded source check: October 19, 2026. A stored check date does not guarantee that every field is complete or still current. Compare the provider, eligibility, funding and deadline with the live official call before applying.
Benefits
The lab states that both PhD positions are fully funded through research and teaching assistantships. NRES says assistantships of at least 25% provide a tuition waiver and partial fee waiver; the exact stipend, fee balance and funding duration for these posts are not published. Apply by 15 December 2026 for full financial-award consideration; later Fall 2027 admissions applications are accepted until 15 May 2027 with lower funding prospects.
Eligibility summary
Applicants interested in nitrogen biogeochemistry are welcome from soil science, hydrology, ecology, environmental science or engineering, agronomy, and related backgrounds. Relevant field, laboratory, isotope or modelling experience is useful but not required. NRES admission needs a faculty advisor’s agreement. International applicants should review English proficiency and financial-support evidence requirements.
Requirements
First email Dr Zhongjie Yu at zjyu@illinois.edu with a short statement of research interests and experience, plus a CV. Then apply to the Natural Res & Env Sciences PhD and list Dr Yu as a prospective faculty advisor. NRES does not require GRE scores for admission, though some fellowships may.
Documents required
Initial contact: CV and brief research-interest statement. Formal NRES application: two-page personal statement, CV or résumé, transcripts, and three reference letters; check university instructions for any additional international documents.
Language/test requirements
How to submit applications
Verified 19 October 2026 on official Illinois lab, NRES admissions and funding pages. Two Fall 2027 funded PhDs; 15 December 2026 for full funding consideration, 15 May 2027 final admissions deadline. Professor contact required before formal application. Assistantships include tuition and partial fee waiver.
Listing-board disclaimer
Prime Scholarship Alerts is an independent listing board, not the scholarship provider, university or funder. We do not select applicants, collect provider application fees or guarantee an award. Verify requirements, deadlines, funding, fees and application instructions through the current provider page before applying.