Research and CubeSats
UH Mānoa undergraduates can get hands-on experience through research projects and senior capstone work on CubeSat subsystems.
Open positions
Apply by December 1, 2026
Ph.D. student · Start Fall 2027
Ionospheric remote sensing
Measure ionospheric electron density perturbations with ship AIS signals, with tsunami detection as a key application.
Ph.D. student · Start Fall 2027Root-zone soil moisture remote sensing
Retrieve soil moisture below the surface with multi-frequency signals of opportunity reflectometry.
Apply to the Earth and Planetary Sciences Ph.D. program by December 1, and email sehokim@hawaii.edu to say which position interests you.
M.S. and Ph.D.
Graduate students
Graduate students join the lab through the Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPS) M.S. and Ph.D. programs at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, offered jointly by the Department of Earth Sciences and the Hawaiʻi Institute of Geophysics and Planetology in SOEST.
- Deadlines: December 1 for fall admission; August 15 for spring admission.
- Funding: most students are supported by research assistantships, which include a stipend and a tuition waiver.
- GRE: not required.
- Info sessions: the program holds virtual information sessions each October.
Other opportunities
Postdoctoral researchers
We're glad to hear from researchers interested in fellowships or joint proposals in radio remote sensing. Reach out to discuss ideas.
FAQ
How does the lab work day to day?
The core of the lab is a weekly one-on-one meeting between each student and Dr. Kim, where we go over progress, plans and anything that's blocking you.
What is the advising style?
Supportive at the start, with growing independence. In your first year we work closely together: we figure out how we communicate best, and I help you shape your research direction. As you gain experience, you take more ownership of your project, with continued guidance and resources from the lab. Think freedom with responsibility. No micromanagement.
Will I present my work at conferences?
Yes, and travel is funded. Students typically present at the IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS) in the summer and the AGU Annual Meeting in the winter. We encourage you to present your work and to become an active part of the research community.
Will I work on hardware, software or both?
It depends on the project. Our work spans the full path from concept to implementation, development and operations, so it involves both software and hardware. It's multidisciplinary, science-driven engineering.
Do I need prior experience in remote sensing?
No. Backgrounds that fit well include aerospace and electrical engineering, physics, and Earth and planetary science. Curiosity and willingness to learn matter more than any specific experience.
About UH Mānoa
The lab is part of the Hawaiʻi Institute of Geophysics and Planetology (HIGP) in the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST) at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Graduate students in the Earth and Planetary Sciences program work alongside researchers studying Earth, the oceans, volcanoes and other planets, with close ties to the Hawaiʻi Space Flight Laboratory.
Get in touch
Email sehokim@hawaii.edu with a short note about your background and the research that interests you, along with your CV.