I am always looking for talented and dynamic graduate students with a strong background in the physical sciences.

Scroll down to the very bottom of this page for advice on applying to graduate school!

If you are interested in conducting research in the field of geophysics/seismology then I encourage you to apply to the UCSB graduate school program.  The most important attributes that I seek in prospective students are: a good physics and maths background, computing competence, a willingness to learn, and enthusiasm for the subject!  I am interested to hear what previous research experience you have had and why you are eager to study Earth science.  What questions motivate you?  How did you get involved in this field?

A typical graduate student will take several higher-level classes within the department, and conduct collaborative and innovative research.  All graduate students are fully funded (stipend, fees, tuition, and health insurance) through my research grants and through Teaching Assistant appointments from the Earth Science department. In addition to helping pay the bills, these TA-ships provide valuable teaching experience and the chance to hone your scientific acumen by educating others.  In the latter stages of a PhD, doctoral students with interest and ability can even take charge of a whole course, being appointed as the Instructor of Record for a full term.

For your research needs, I also provide you with high-powered personal computing resources. I expect and encourage graduate students to get involved with fieldwork  –  mainly deployment of seismic instruments in a bunch of cool research locales around the world, including deployment and recovery of ocean bottom seismic instruments on research cruises.

If you join the community of graduate students in the UC Santa Barbara Earth Science department, you will be entering a wonderfully collegial and dynamic group of young scientists. Our department offers not only academic excellence but a warm, inclusive, and fun group of peers and mentors. 

UCSB encourages applications from students who have excelled academically despite economic or social disadvantages, as well as those who bring perspectives, research topics, and/or career interests that advance the university’s goals of excellence. I am committed to supporting and uplifting students from historically minoritised communities. If I can be of assistance to your grad school application (even if it’s not to work with me!) then please feel free to get in touch.

For further information, see THIS webpage, and feel free to reach out to Quinlan Dougherty, the graduate program coordinator. Also, see tips, below.

And do contact me with any questions.

Tips/general information

• USCB Earth Science graduate admissions requirements are available here.

• Get in contact early with your prospective advisor early! Seriously - reach out to me with an email in which you introduce yourself, your interests, and a little about your background. We can arrange a Zoom meeting to chat about your research interests and if have vacancies in my research group. If I (or any other prospective advisor) can put a face to a name and am waiting to see your application, it will help it stand out! See this twitter thread for a super primer.

• Letters of recommendation are crucial. These should be written by mentors who know you well and can personally attest to your aptitude, character, and productivity. Try to select three people who can recommend different aspects of your previous work and undergraduate achievements. Family members or personal friends are not appropriate for providing recommendations.

• Your Statement of Purpose and Statement of Personal Achievements/Contributions are also highly important, short (<2 pages!) persuasive essays. The Statement of Purpose should convey your academic and research exploits, as well as why you are interested in the Earth Sciences. The best statements will include concise and specific descriptions how research that you have done prepares you for a role in my lab, NOT an anecdote about the first time you felt an earthquake. We are looking for students who are able to identify outstanding problems and who can make a good case for why they should be the ones to help tackle them. What sets you apart? Briefly discuss why you would like to study at Santa Barbara.

• Standardised tests: Applicants coming from institutions where English is not the official language will have to take the TOEFL/IELTS exam before applying. We do NOT accept the GRE.