See below for current opportunities to get involved in peatland research including graduate studies, jobs, and volunteer positions. Please note the location of the below opportunities as not all are at the University of Waterloo and could be elsewhere in Canada.
Contact canpeat@uwaterloo.ca for general questions. Ensure to submit your applications to the email address listed in the posting.
PhD: Peat C reactivity: process modeling and regional upscaling
A PhD position is available at the University of Waterloo to develop the reactive transport sub-models that evaluate the biogeochemical transformations of carbon and nutrients in peatlands under examples of anthropogenic disturbances and climatic scenarios to estimate the changes in carbon stocks and budgets for the future peatland ecosystems carbon balances. The outputs of these sub-models will be incorporated into the Canadian Model for Peatlands, to improve regional to national estimates of Net ecosystem exchange and carbon emissions into the Canadian Model for Peatlands frameworks for application at multiple scales and for spatially-referenced and spatially-explicit modelling approaches.
If you have any questions regarding the application process and, eligibility, or a request for accommodation during the selection process, please contact Dr. Fereidoun Rezanezhad (frezanez@uwaterloo.ca) and Dr. Philippe Van Cappellen (pvc@uwaterloo.ca).
To apply, send a single PDF file with your motivation to apply, research interests, CV, transcripts, and contact information for up to 3 references to Dr. Fereidoun Rezanezhad at frezanez@uwaterloo.ca
Peatland Wildfire 2yr Postdoctoral Fellowship
Drs Koreen Millard (Carleton University) and Sophie Wilkinson (Simon Fraser University) are looking to recruit a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow through a recently funded NSERC Alliance grant to address the growing challenge of accounting and mitigating managed peatland greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Canada. The accepted PDF will join a dynamic group of academic, government, and not-for-profit experts on peatlands and wildfire. The overarching goal of this partnership is to couple process-based understanding of peatland fire and GHG emissions/removals with remotely sensed data to develop improved understanding, new methods, and applicable tools that meet the needs of our partners.
The position will be based at either Carleton University (OSawa, Ontario) or Simon Fraser University (Burnaby, British Columbia) and will be full-time, beginning on a 2-year contract. The ability to conduct 1-2 months fieldwork per year is preferred but not required. The candidate will develop strong skills in airborne and satellite remote sensing data analyses (LiDAR, SAR and multispectral) as well as statistical and machine learning model development and application. The candidate will work closely with federal partners (NRCan-CFS and ECCC-PIRD), providing high-quality collaboration opportunities. Further, the candidate will be supported in writing peer-reviewed publications, attending conferences, and applying for independent research funding.
Drs. Millard and Wilkinson, along with their partners, actively support the enhancement of EDI in academia and encourage applicants from underrepresented demographics to apply. We commit to maintaining a safe and supportive environment for students, researchers, and staff and will continue to prioritize EDI moving forward.
What we expect from you:
- Doctoral degree in one of the following topics: terrestrial ecology, ecohydrology, micrometeorology, remote sensing (terrestrial), wildfire ecology or peatland-related topics.
- Experience with GIS/geospatial analysis and remotely-sensed data
- Demonstrated high quality peer-reviewed publications
- Proficiency with coding/scripting in R and/or Matlab and/or Python
- Ability to develop statistical models - Excellent written and oral communication in English
- Ability to work well both in a team and independently
Also valued:
- Field work experience
- Experience with airborne LiDAR and/or Synthetic Aperture Radar and/or InSAR
- Experience using Bayesian, machine learning or deep learning techniques.
- Excellent time management skills
- Be comfortable working with open modelling/open access principles
- Previous experience managing research or projects
What you will be doing:
- Designing and performing research on peatland wildfire GHG emissions and removals using a combination of field measures, remote sensing and statistical/ML methods.
- Coordinating and collaborating with government, industry, and not-for-profit partners
- Writing scientific publications
- Participating in scientific events (conferences, workshops)
- Contributing to project and lab management
What we offer:
- Enthusiastic, supportive, team environment
- Unionized position at either Carleton University or Simon Fraser University (based on candidate preference)
- Salary of $70 000 per year plus benefits*
- Office space and lab access at either Carleton University or Simon Fraser University (based on candidate preference)
- Hybrid working environment is optional
- Travel expenses and per diem for field work
- Travel expenses for at least one conference per year
- Funding to publish open access peer reviewed journal articles
- Support to apply for additional independent research funding, if desired
*benefits vary based on the institution at which you will be based- ask for details
How to apply: Applicants should send PDFs of a one-page cover letter, a writing sample (preferably peer[1]reviewed publication) and an updated CV to sophie_wilkinson@sfu.ca AND koreen_millard@carleton.ca by May 30, 2024. Please use "PDF APPLICATION" as the subject. The cover letter should include a personal statement and the name, position, and e-mail contact of three potential referees. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed in early June. The selected person is expected to join as soon as possible, but ideally September 2024 or sooner.
MSc: Development of a methodology for carbon stock accounting in New Brunswick wetlands
This project aims to respond to measure "2.8 Recognize the importance of our natural carbon (C) sinks (forest, wetlands, soils)" presented in New Brunswick's new climate change action plan (2022) by filling the gaps and lack of knowledge/data on current C stocks in wetlands.
The aim of this project is to contribute to the development of a methodology for accounting for carbon stocks in New Brunswick wetlands, and to apply it to 138 wetlands at the scale of several watersheds in the Edmundston and Saint-Quentin region (northwestern NB). These wetlands were assessed for their ecosystem services using the Wetland Ecosystem Services Protocol - Atlantic Canada (WESP-AC), and a new tab dedicated to the carbon theme was added.
The objectives of this project are to
- Development of a methodology for accounting for C stocks in wetlands.
- Carry out a field campaign with soil sampling.
- Estimate C stocks by reservoir and wetland type.
- Collaboration/putting results into perspective.
This project will deliver several results of provincial importance:
- A comprehensive, standardized methodology.
- A database with stock estimates C.
This project will highlight the importance and role of wetlands in the fight against climate change by acting as carbon sinks (sequestration). A better understanding of these ecosystems and an inventory of current stocks will enable the province of New Brunswick to establish a 1er portrait of the C stocks in these wetlands, and thereby contribute to the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. The emphasis of this project is on collaboration and the development of a methodology that will be re-applied to other wetlands in the province.
Requirements:
- Interest in the subject (e.g. wetlands, ecosystem services, C accounting, soil science).
- Bilingualism (documentary research and literature review).
- 1er academic training: biologist/ecologist, geographer, ...
- Information research and organization skills.
- Good ability to analyze and synthesize data and information.
- Good writing skills.
- Sense of efficiency, autonomy and organization.
- Intellectual curiosity and interest in innovation.
Resources provided:
- Dodick Gasser, Researcher in applied ecology and environment (Lab. Tech., Biologist/Ecologist, Agronomist, M. Env., Ph. D. in Biology (Forest Ecology and Forestry)).
- Project financed (awarded) and fundable (Mitacs or ECO Canada).
- Planning and monitoring tools.
- Imagery, general spatially referenced datasets and LiDAR products.
- Sources of reference documentation on the subject, already identified.
- Reports produced as part of the assessment of wetland ecosystem services according to the WESP-AC protocol.
- Help from a research professional, if needed, Laurie Vidal (Forestry Technician and Engineer, geomatics skills, expertise in C accounting in forest ecosystems).
- Gabriel Magnan, PhD, research professional, lecturer at UQAM and coordinator of the Guide de quantification du carbone au Québec.
- Support for the field and laboratory data collection campaign.
- Access to a network of collaborators from various institutions (NB Department of Environment and Local Government, NB Department of Natural Resources, Ducks Unlimited Canada, etc.).
Working environment:
- Stimulating, dynamic work environment that encourages collaboration, mutual support, complementarity and synergy between team members;
- Passionate team members;
- Innovation based on applied research;
- Cutting-edge, multi/pluridisciplinary projects, mobilizing and developing multiple skills;
- Training available;
- Focused on objectives and concrete results;
- Realization in a hybrid, flexible environment;
- Recognized as offering excellent paid internship experiences (skills development) by previous student-interns, funders and university internship departments;
- Experience of working in a different provincial jurisdiction and socio-cultural context.
Email and tele/videoconferencing will be the preferred means of communication.
(506) 475-3604