A funded PhD in the United States with a stipend of up to $37,000 a year is rare, and this one closes on 30 November 2026, about a month from today. It is a research position in environmental hydrology at Texas State University, and Nigerians are listed as eligible. Here is what the listing says, who fits, and how to put together a strong application quickly.
A note on sources: everything below comes from the opportunity listing on Scholarship Region, which reproduces the lab's call. It is a third-party page, so before you apply, try to confirm the details with the lab or Texas State's Biology Department. Where I say "check", I mean the listing doesn't tell us.
What the position is
The Chattopadhyay Hydroecology Lab, led by Dr. Somsubhra Chattopadhyay, is recruiting one PhD student in environmental hydrology to start in August 2027. Funding is available for 4.5 years. The degree is a PhD in Integrative and Applied Biology.
The research looks at how Texas Hill Country rivers are changing: flashier floods, longer droughts, and streams that once flowed all year now going dry. The work combines ecohydrologic modelling with fieldwork.
The three possible research directions
The student shapes the final direction with the supervisor. The listing names three options:
- Rivers on the edge of drying: when, where and why Hill Country streams stop flowing, and what happens to connectivity and aquatic life.
- Forecasting rivers in a hotter, thirstier Texas: using SWAT+ and data-driven models to project how climate, land use and water demand change floods, low flows and environmental flows.
- Linking flow to life: pairing hydrology with environmental DNA and field biodiversity data to find the flow conditions that keep rivers diverse.
The student will also lead one chapter that uses large-scale existing data or synthesises existing research. That is good news if you are worried about fieldwork access, because part of the PhD can be desk-based.
What it covers
| Item | What the listing says |
|---|---|
| Tuition | Covered |
| Living stipend | Up to $37,000 per year |
| Health insurance | Mentioned in the description (not in the benefits list) |
| Duration | 4.5 years of funding |
| Language test | Listed as "not required" on the aggregator page |
| Essay | Not required on the form |
Two cautions. First, "up to" means the stipend may be lower, so ask what the exact figure is. Second, the listing says language proficiency is not required, but the university's Graduate College may have its own English requirement for international students. Check that on the Texas State Graduate College site before you assume you are exempt. Our guide to English test options and waivers explains how waivers usually work, though it focuses on UK and European rules.
Who should apply
The listing asks for a background in hydrology, water resources engineering, environmental science, earth sciences, ecology or a related field. Courses it lists as eligible include:
- Agricultural and Environmental Engineering
- Water Resources Engineering and Water Resources and Environmental Engineering
- Civil and Water Resources Engineering
- Earth Science
- Applied Ecology and Botany and Ecological Studies
- Water Resources Management and Agrometeorology
- Agronomy and Ecological Management
Experience with hydrologic modelling, GIS, R, Python or statistics is desirable, and strong quantitative skills are welcome. You will also mentor undergraduate researchers, join Biology Department activities and serve as a teaching assistant for four semesters. That teaching load is part of the deal, so expect to work, not just study.
The listing does not say whether you need a master's degree. If you only have a bachelor's, write to the lab and ask before spending time on the form.
How to apply, step by step
- Open the online application form through the listing and submit it by 30 November 2026. Applications are accepted only through the form, so do not rely on emailing a CV alone.
- Prepare your CV. Put research, projects and technical skills near the top.
- Write short answers about your interests and experience.
- Line up two referees and have their contact details ready.
- Wait for December interviews. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed.
- Apply to the Texas State Graduate College by its 1 February 2027 deadline if you are selected. This is a separate step, so do not treat the lab form as your admission.
Making a short application strong
Match your experience to a direction
Pick one of the three research directions and say why your background fits it. A Nigerian civil engineering graduate who modelled a catchment for a final-year project, for example, can link that directly to the SWAT+ forecasting strand. Be specific about tools, data and results.
Show your numbers and code
If you have used R, Python or GIS, name the project and what you produced. A link to a GitHub page or a short portfolio helps more than saying "proficient in Python".
Choose referees who can speak to research
Two references are required. A project supervisor is ideal. If you have no lecturer to ask, read choosing referees when you have no lecturer. Give referees at least two weeks and send them your CV and the call text.
Mention the teaching side
Four semesters as a teaching assistant is part of the role. Any tutoring, demonstrating or mentoring you have done is relevant.
A hypothetical timeline for the next 30 days
| When | Task |
|---|---|
| Days 1-3 | Confirm eligibility with the lab; message two referees |
| Days 4-10 | Update CV; gather transcripts (see how to get transcripts from a Nigerian university) |
| Days 11-18 | Draft short answers; get one person to review them |
| Days 19-25 | Submit early, in case power or data fails |
| December | Prepare for interviews; practise on a call with poor connectivity in mind |
Common mistakes
- Applying with a generic CV. The lab wants hydrology, ecology or modelling evidence.
- Leaving it to the last night. Submit a few days early.
- Assuming selection equals admission. You still need the Graduate College application by 1 February 2027.
- Paying anyone. The form is free to access through the listing. Anyone who asks for money to "secure" this position is not part of the process described. See our guide on fake scholarship agents.
- Ignoring visa planning. If selected, read our study visa checklist and use official US government sources.
Frequently asked questions
Is this open to Nigerians?
Yes, Nigeria is listed among the eligible countries, and international applicants are welcome.
Do I need an essay?
The listing says no essay is required, but the form asks for short answers about your interests and experience.
Is this only one place?
The lab is recruiting one PhD student, and the selected candidate will then apply to the Graduate College.
What if I do not study hydrology exactly?
Related fields such as ecology, earth science or environmental engineering are listed. Show your quantitative skills and why the topic interests you.
Your next step
This week, email your two referees and write down which of the three research directions fits you best. Then open the listing and start the form so you are not rushing on 30 November.
Sources
Details checked against the official sources above on 31 October 2026. Things change, so confirm on the official site before you act.
Scholarship details, deadlines and eligibility can change. Always confirm on the official website before applying, and never pay anyone who promises to "guarantee" a scholarship.