Open positions

For the time being, I no longer have postdoctoral positions open in my group because of limited funds and time.

I am always interested in hiring graduate students!

The group is highly motivated to host undergraduate researchers! Several specific projects are posted here. Marine supports research experience using hourly-rate compensation throughout the year, and or through fellowship and other opportunities.

How to apply

If you are interested in working with us as a PhD student or postdoc, please read our group guidelines here.

For PhD applications, look over the ESS webpage here. We do not take GREs anymore, but TOEFL scores are still necessary.

My rubric for graduate admissions is the following:

Rubric for Graduate Student Admissions

Geophysics and Data Science Research Program

The following rubric outlines the evaluation criteria and weighting system for selecting top candidates (top 2%) for the graduate program. Each criterion is scored on a scale of 1–5, with 5 being the highest. Candidates must demonstrate excellence across all categories to align with the program’s rigorous expectations.

Rubric for Graduate Student Admission with Marine

The following rubric outlines the evaluation criteria and weighting system for selecting top candidates (top 2%) for the graduate program. Each criterion is scored on a scale of 1–5, with 5 being the highest. Candidates must demonstrate excellence across all categories to align with the program’s rigorous expectations.

Evaluation Categories and Criteria

1. Academic Excellence (20%)

  • Coursework Performance: Strong GPA (ideally ≥3.9 on a 4.0 scale or equivalent) in relevant fields, including geophysics, physics, math, computer science, or engineering.
    • 5: Exceptional GPA with honors, dean’s list, or equivalent.
    • 4: Strong GPA, top 10% of cohort.
    • 3: Average GPA with one or two notable exceptions.
    • 2: Below-average performance in key areas.
    • 1: Insufficient performance in core coursework.

2. Quantitative and Analytical Skills (20%)

  • Demonstrated Skills: Excellence in quantitative disciplines (e.g., mathematics, statistics, numerical modeling). Evidence from coursework, research, or standardized exams (e.g., GRE, if available).
    • 5: Exceptional quantitative performance and creative problem-solving in complex scenarios.
    • 4: Strong skills, demonstrated through advanced coursework or projects.
    • 3: Moderate proficiency, with gaps in advanced applications.
    • 2: Limited evidence of quantitative aptitude.
    • 1: Minimal evidence of quantitative skills.

3. Potential for Advanced Software Engineering (20%)

  • Evidence: Familiarity or proficiency with programming languages (e.g., Python, R, MATLAB, C++), software development, data management, or computational frameworks. Demonstration of coding ability through publicly available work, such as a GitHub repository, is highly valued.
    • 5: Demonstrated expertise with a strong GitHub presence showcasing advanced coding, independent software projects, or impactful computational work.
    • 4: Proficient programming skills with evidence from prior research or internships and some publicly shared code.
    • 3: Basic coding knowledge with limited or no publicly available work.
    • 2: Minimal exposure to software engineering principles.
    • 1: No evidence of computational skills or public code contributions.

4. Research Potential and Big Science Readiness (15%)

  • Focus on Big Science: Motivation and ability to tackle interdisciplinary, large-scale scientific challenges. Demonstrated through research experience, publications, presentations, or problem statements in essays.
    • 5: Strongly articulated vision and evidence of readiness to contribute to cutting-edge geophysics and data science.
    • 4: Good alignment with big science goals but with room for growth.
    • 3: Moderate understanding of interdisciplinary challenges.
    • 2: Limited awareness or focus on big science questions.
    • 1: Lacks alignment with program research goals.

5. Focus and Dedication to Long-Term Projects (15%)

  • Evidence of Commitment: Sustained engagement in long-term academic, research, or professional projects. Demonstrated ability to handle complex, multi-year endeavors.
    • 5: Clear evidence of dedication to multi-year projects with impactful outcomes.
    • 4: Strong commitment but shorter duration or less complexity.
    • 3: Moderate evidence of commitment, with some gaps in focus.
    • 2: Minimal evidence of long-term focus.
    • 1: Lacks sustained engagement in long-term efforts.

6. Letters of Recommendation (10%)

  • Strength and Specificity: Letters must provide unequivocal endorsement of the applicant’s potential for advanced study and research. Strong letters should highlight:
    1. The student’s intellectual potential, focus, and quantitative and computational skills.
    2. The student’s ability to excel in long-term projects.
    3. Evidence that the student is among the strongest of their cohort and prepared for the program’s rigorous demands.
      • 5: Enthusiastic, detailed endorsements that show no hesitation and clearly place the student among the strongest of their peers.
      • 4: Strong letters with detailed examples of potential, but slightly less specificity or enthusiasm.
      • 3: Positive but generic letters, with no significant endorsements of exceptional potential.
      • 2: Neutral letters that fail to provide clear evidence of suitability.
      • 1: Weak or hesitant recommendations.

7. Personal Statement and Communication (10%)

  • Clarity and Vision: Well-articulated career goals, alignment with program, and demonstration of intellectual curiosity and motivation.
  • Contact Efforts: Applicants who have taken the initiative to contact the faculty member directly to discuss their interests and goals are highly valued.
    • 5: Exceptional statement with clear alignment to program goals, strong narrative, and demonstrated initiative in contacting faculty.
    • 4: Strong statement with minor weaknesses and evidence of initiative.
    • 3: Adequate statement with no contact efforts but reasonable alignment.
    • 2: Unfocused or unclear statement and no contact efforts.
    • 1: Poorly written or irrelevant statement, no contact.

Selection Process

  1. Each applicant will be scored out of 100 based on the criteria above.
  2. Only candidates scoring 90 or higher will advance to the interview stage.

Master Projects

I do not take Master Students.

Visiting Students

If you are interested in visiting us for a few months, whether you have financial support or not, please email Marine for opportunities.