Fully Funded Ph.D. Positions in Geospatial Data Science and Environmental Health Science at Pennsylvania State University

The Gong Lab in the Department of Biobehavioral Health and Institute of Computing and Data Sciences at Pennsylvania State University is seeking 1-2 motivated Ph.D. students with research interests in Geospatial Data Science, Environmental Health Sciences, and Spatially Integrated Social Science to join the team. Successful candidates will work with Dr. Xi Gong on his ongoing research projects, which include but not limited to the following key areas:

(1)  Environmental Exposure Assessment: Employ spatial modeling, GeoAI, and other pertinent methodologies, integrating environmental monitoring, meteorological, topographical, and wearable device data to accurately assess and predict environmental pollution exposure across spatiotemporal scales.

(2)  Environment and Health: Analyze and model the combined effects of environmental exposure, climate change, and social factors on health and wellness across the entire human lifespan, while also examining related disparities.

(3)  Spatiotemporal Big Data Analytics and Visualization: Develop spatiotemporal data mining algorithms, GeoAI and machine learning methodologies, as well as visualization tools to uncover patterns and facilitate knowledge discovery in big data, thereby addressing interdisciplinary challenges.

(4)  Social Sensing: Utilize multi-source spatiotemporal big data and employ machine learning, AI, text mining, network analysis, and spatial statistics to detect and analyze human behavior and social dynamics, aiming to address real-world challenges.

Ph.D. Position Qualification and Application:

·       A bachelor's or master's degree in Geography, GIScience, Environmental Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Public Health, Epidemiology, or a related field.

·       Strong quantitative skills (e.g., spatial analysis and modeling) and programming experience.

·       Good written and oral communication skills in English. Preference will be given to candidates with experience of good-quality publications in the relevant field.

·       Strong motivation, work ethic, and ability to work in an interdisciplinary team environment.

·       We offer competitive funding packages for 5 years to all students who maintain good standing.

·       Ph.D. positions will begin in Fall 2026. Application due date: Dec 1, 2025

·       For details about our innovative and interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program, please visit bbh.hhd.psu.edu/graduate and refer to the attached flyer.

·       Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to email Dr. Gong at gonglab.psu@gmail.com with a single attachment that includes their CV, a brief statement of research interests and experience, and, if available, writing samples, coding samples, and/or unofficial transcripts.

More information about Dr. Xi Gong and Gong Lab can be found at https://xigong.wordpress.com