PhD in Sustainable Water Systems: The Lin Lab for Intelligent Nexus Systems of Water and Society (LINS Lab) at Clemson University is now reviewing applications for Fall 2026.
It is a chance for students that desire a research career at the nexus of hydrology, systems modeling, artificial intelligence, infrastructure planning, and sustainable resource management.
The lab examines the interaction between the environment, technology and the society, and aims at enhancing the way the water systems are planned, managed and operated.
Why Pursue a PhD in Sustainable Water Systems at Clemson University?
Funded Support: Selected candidates will receive financial support that may cover tuition fees, living stipends, etc, ensuring that the PhD student is free from financial burden.
Prestigious Institution: Clemson University has a strong reputation for research, a good academic training opportunities, graduate community, and professional development.
The Research Topic: The project topic is a combination of hydrologic science, systems modeling, machine learning, AI based decision analytics and socio environmental analysis. Potential focus areas include:
- Water Resources Planning & Management
- Agricultural & Urban Water Use Science
- Smart & Adaptive Water Systems
Research Softwares: The laboratory offers powerful computer resources, modeling, and high performance computing as well as new data science software.
Supporting Culture: At the LINS Lab, the students work on real and timely water challenges with the assistance of hydrologists, civil engineers, planners, computer scientists, and social scientists.
Position Description – PhD in Sustainable Water Systems
The research areas that students who were accepted into the PhD program shall engage in are as follows:
- Hydrology and Water Systems Science: The dynamics of watersheds, the assessment of water supply and water demand, climate effects and interaction between natural and constructed systems.
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Water Management: Predictive modeling, data-driven decision applications, and applications of artificial intelligence in addressing multidimensional water management.
- Stakeholder Engaged Research: Collaboration with a wide range of communities, agencies, and partners to co-design modeling frameworks and make sure that research is related to the real-life decision-making requirements.
- Sustainable and Resilient Water Planning: Planning strategies that increase the resilience, flexibility, and equity of the water systems in the changing climatic conditions.
Qualification For PhD in Sustainable Water Systems
Applicants should:
- Have a degree in civil engineering, environmental engineering, hydrology, water resources, computer science, systems engineering or a similar subject.
- Be good at quantitative abilities and modeling, or AI or data science.
- Take initiative, show interest, and readiness to participate in interdisciplinary research.
- Show effective communication practices and willingness to work in different teams.
- Demonstrate a sense of sustainability and fairness in the solution of water systems.
- The students who have modeled experience, coding skills, or decided to work in the field of decision analytics, in particular, are particularly invited to apply.
Application Process
The application for Fall 2026 is already in progress. To apply:
- Kindly prepare your CV
- Provide your transcripts and other research materials.
- Write a statement (cover letter) containing the description of your research interests and career objectives.
Application form
In all matters pertaining to recruitment, email the lab
Deadline and Contact Information
Application Deadline: Rolling basis (application is ongoing)
For more information, visit the LINS Lab website