I am an Assistant Professor in the International Program of Climate Change and Sustainable Development at National Taiwan University. My research focuses on hydroclimate, land–atmosphere interactions, and climate extremes under climate change. I am particularly interested in how soil moisture regulates evapotranspiration, surface energy balance, and the development of extreme events such as droughts and heatwaves. My work integrates in-situ and satellite observations, reanalysis datasets, and Earth system model simulations, with an emphasis on process understanding through data-driven analysis and physical interpretation.
The Hsu Lab was established in August 2025 and currently has 10 members. We investigate how land surface processes influence climate variability and change, with a particular focus on soil moisture, evapotranspiration, and precipitation characteristics. Our research combines climate model analysis, observational and reanalysis data, and conceptual modeling to understand the mechanisms that link the land surface, water cycle, and climate extremes. The goal of the lab is to develop a process-based understanding of hydroclimate dynamics and to apply this knowledge to risk assessment, climate adaptation, and, in the future, climate services.
Our research focuses on several interconnected topics, including (1) soil moisture–evapotranspiration coupling and land–atmosphere feedbacks, (2) mechanisms of droughts, heatwaves, and compound climate extremes, (3) changing precipitation timing and distribution and its impact on water availability, (4) evaluation of land surface processes and hydroclimate in Earth system models, and (5) regional hydroclimate change and variability under global warming. Across these topics, we emphasize understanding the physical mechanisms behind observed and projected changes in the climate system.
2025 Yushan Young Fellow
Hsin Hsu received his Ph.D. in Climate Dynamics from George Mason University under the supervision of Prof. Paul A. Dirmeyer. He then worked as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Princeton University, where he studied land–atmosphere interactions and hydroclimate processes and collaborated closely with scientists at NOAA’s Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL). He joined National Taiwan University as an Assistant Professor in 2025.
Job Description
The intern will lead the analysis of evaporative demand. The resulting dataset is expected to be developed into an individual data paper. The intern will also take the lead in writing the data paper, with guidance from the PI and senior team members.
Preferred Intern Educational Level
Undergraduate from a data science or climate science–related department
Skill sets or Qualities
Python and Linux