[ES_JOBS_NET] Funded Graduate Research Opportunity in Vehicle Emissions Research

[Darrell Sonntag]

Funded Graduate Research Opportunity in Vehicle Emissions Research at Brigham Young University
Dates: July 2026 - December 2027

Team: The Y-emissions lab (https://byu-transpolab.github.io/y-emissions/#open-positions) has collected more than 90,000 valid light- and heavy-duty vehicle emission measurements across multiple locations in Utah. We are using these data to evaluate the accuracy of emissions inventories used for policy and science. In a collaborative project with faculty and students in civil, electrical and computer, and mechanical engineering, we have developed a new system called (PLUMES) to measure heavy-duty diesel emissions with enhanced capabilities.

Advisor: Darrell Sonntag, assistant professor in Civil & Construction Engineering at Brigham Young University.
Project: We received funding to create a Utah-specific, fuel-based emissions inventory for each county in Utah. We will utilize our existing emission rate database, along with additional emissions measurements using our vehicle emissions monitoring systems. We will use these emission rates and fuel sales to develop fuel-based on-road vehicle emissions inventory. We then can evaluate accuracy of the UDAQ's vehicle emissions inventory, and identify effective on-road road vehicle emission reduction strategies
Degree: Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering
Funding: An hourly wage of $20/hour for up to 28 hours per week. Competitive tuition scholarships are available from the CCE department.
Dates: Funding for project extends from July 2026 to December 2027. The ideal candidate will be able to utilize the full funding period. However, a later start date will be considered due to the late notice of the grant.
Application:  Send an email to darrell_sonntag at byu.edu<mailto:darrell_sonntag at byu.edu> with 'Vehicle Emissions Research' in the subject line before June 8, 2026. I will review applications as they are received, so earlier applications will be given priority. The BYU graduate school admission deadline has passed for Fall semester 2026, but I can petition a late application for Fall Semester 2026 due to the late award of research funds. All other requirements apply, including taking the GRE exam, as discussed here at the CCE Graduate Admissions page) (https://cce.byu.edu/prospective-students-masters-and-phd. A later start date will be considered for the ideal candidate.
Qualifications: Undergraduate degree in a STEM related field, such as chemistry, physics, statistics, and engineering (environmental, chemical, civil, mechanical etc.).
Special Considerations: All students are required to abide by the university's honor code (https://honorcode.byu.edu/), and preference is given to qualified candidates who are members of the affiliated church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. BYU is committed to training students who embrace and advance its unique mission (https://aims.byu.edu/byu-mission-statement).




Darrell Sonntag, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Civil and Construction Engineering
Brigham Young University | 801-422-6338 | EB 430E
Appointments: https://calendly.com/darrell_sonntag/meet


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