Positions Available

We invite applications for two postdoctoral fellow (PDF), five PhD and two MSc positions to participate in acollaborative research project to assemble and propose solution options for urban green stormwater management (SWM) infrastructure that optimize the reduction of greenhouse gases (GHGs; CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O). The project aims to quantify the landscape-scale drivers and processes within stormwater ponds (SWPs) and  bioretention systems (BRSs) that control GHG exchanges.  The resulting knowledge will be integrated into robust representations of SWPs and BRSs in coupled hydrology-biogeochemistry models to analyze the responses of urban GHG emissions and nutrients export to the implementation and management of green SWM infrastructure.

The main supervisor for each position is listed in parentheses; however, each position will have an interdisciplinary supervisory team consisting of multiple project team members.

Instructions for applying can be found below.

PDF-1 will use statistical predictors including land use/land cover, climate variables, event characteristics, and system design to identify drivers of GHG emissions from green SWM infrastructure. (Elodie Passeport, University of Toronto)

PDF-2 will use biogeochemical modeling to predict GHG emissions from green SWM systems and propose solution options for municipal and regional climate action. (Philippe Van Cappellen, University of Waterloo)

PhD-1 will quantify GHG emissions from green SWM infrastructure using existing GHG emission data plus field monitoring of GHG fluxes at SWP and BRS sites with fixed and floating chambers. (Fereidoun Rezanezhad, University of Waterloo)

PhD-2 will focus on processes controlling the organic and inorganic carbon cycles in SWM systems to identify external and internal sources and sequestration pathways for GHG emission reduction. (Scott Smith, Wilfrid Laurier University)

PhD-3 will generate mass balances of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus in SWM infrastructure to assess trade-offs between GHG reduction and water quality protection. (Philippe Van Cappellen, University of Waterloo)

PhD-4 will simulate and analyze management scenarios with variable SWM configurations and hydroclimatic conditions in urban watersheds to optimize the reduction of GHG emissions at the watershed scale. (Andrea Brookfield, University of Waterloo)

PhD-5 will test the full-scale feasibility of geochemical interventions in SWPs and BRSs that increase carbon sequestration in green SWM infrastructure. (Bahram Gharabaghi, University of Guelph)

MSc-1 will determine the rates of carbon sequestration in green SWM systems with the focus on CO₂saturation and carbonate mineral sequestration potential. (Fereidoun Rezanezhad, University of Waterloo)

MSc-2 will simulate and analyze the vulnerability of GHG emissions from SWM infrastructure to changes in urban watershed hydrology including more extreme flooding and drought events. (Andrea Brookfield, University of Waterloo)

The PDFs and students will work closely together within a highly interdisciplinary team of researchers fromUniversity of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University, University of Toronto and University of Guelph. The researchteam will regularly interact with scientists, practitioners, decision-makers, and public participants fromstakeholder organizations, including Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), City of Kitchener, Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA), Muslim Families,and Crozier & Associates Consulting Engineers.

Applicants must have (or expect to soon complete) a degree relevant to the position applied for. Preferencewill be given to candidates with strong quantitative skills and demonstrated experience in one or more of the following or closely related areas: biogeochemistry, aquatic chemistry, hydrology, soil science, and environmental modeling and risk assessment. There will be flexibility in locations of the positions. Exceptional candidates who prefer to undertake a Master’s degree in one of the PhD topics above will be considered.

Please submit your application package electronically as a single pdf file to Anita Ghosh (a9ghosh@uwaterloo.ca). In your email, include “Missions_yourname” in the subject line. Your applications should contain:

-    Which PDF, PhD-# or MSc-# position(s) you wish to be considered for

-    A letter explaining your motivation to apply

-    Curriculum vitae

-    Copy of transcripts (unofficial transcripts will be accepted at the application stage)

Closing date: Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Preference will be given to applications submitted before June 1, 2023.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those individuals selected for an interview willbe contacted.

The partnering universities in this project are committed to implementing the Calls to Action framed by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We regard equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) as an integral part of academic excellence. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities.

If you have any questions regarding the application process, eligibility, or a request for accommodation during the selection process, please contact a9ghosh@uwaterloo.ca.

We invite applications for two postdoctoral fellow (PDF), two PhD and three MSc positions to participate in acollaborative research project to develop and apply new methods to extract, treat and visualize concentrations, hydrological flows, chemical loads, and related water quality indicators at the watershed scale.The project will combine hydrological and water quality modelling, data science methods, chemical load estimations, and the development of digital visualization and interpretation tools.  We will focus on past and projected trends in nutrient and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) export from watersheds and their impacts on receiving water bodies, including lakes and coastal marine environments. 

The main supervisor for each position is listed in parentheses; however, each position will have an interdisciplinary supervisory team consisting of multiple project team members.

Instructions for applying can be found below.

PDF-1 will generate and analyze concentration-discharge (C-Q) relationships for phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) for major Canadian rivers as a function of land use and land cover (LULC), river management and climate.(Alain Pietroniro, UCalgary)

PDF-2 will focus on current and future trajectories of DOC and nutrient loading to the Arctic Ocean by Canadian rivers in the context of climate and LULC changes. (Philippe Van Cappellen, UWaterloo)

PhD-1 will develop user-oriented tools to extract, match, consolidate and analyze time series data on river water and groundwater (as available) chemistry, discharge, and meteorological variables from open datasets. (Andrea Brookfield, UWaterloo)

PhD-2 will assemble a comprehensive national DOC database and reconstruct DOC load trajectories for northern watersheds. (Philippe Van Cappellen, UWaterloo)

MSc-1 will develop an interactive public dashboard for water quality data visualization that can support exploratory and advanced research and enable data storytelling. (Jian Zhao, UWaterloo)

MSc-2 will relate C-Q relationships of N and P in the Lake Winnipeg watershed to socio-ecological variables including LULC, water governance, and climate variables. (Chris Parsons, UWaterloo/ECCC)

MSc-3 will derive P and N loads to Lake Winnipeg from observed (past) and projected (future) river discharge and changes in C-Q predictor variables. (Alain Pietroniro, UCalgary)

The PDFs and students will work closely together within a highly interdisciplinary team of researchers fromUniversity of Waterloo, University of Calgary, and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). The PDF-1 and MSc-3 positions will be located at the University of Calgary, all others at University of Waterloo, with possibilities of secondments at ECCC locations in Burlington, ON, or Saskatoon, SK.The research teamwill regularly interact with scientists at stakeholder organizations, including ECCC, DataStream, and Lake Winnipeg Foundation.

Applicants must have (or expect to soon complete) a degree relevant to the position applied for. Preferencewill be given to candidates with strong quantitative skills and demonstrated experience in one or more of the following or closely related areas: hydrology, water quality, biogeochemistry, data science, and human-computer interaction.

Please submit your application package electronically as a single pdf file to Anita Ghosh (a9ghosh@uwaterloo.ca). In your email, include “CLAWAVE_yourname” in the subject line. Your applications should contain:

-    Which PDF, PhD-# or MSc-# position(s) you wish to be considered for

-    A letter explaining your motivation to apply

-    Curriculum vitae

-    Copy of transcripts (unofficial transcripts will be accepted at the application stage)

Closing date: Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Preference will be given to applications submitted before May 15, 2023.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.

The University of Waterloo is committed to implementing the Calls to Action framed by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We respectfully acknowledge that we live and work on the traditional territory of ‎ the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy in line with the foundational goals of Eyes High, committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

University of Waterloo and University of Calgary regard equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) as an integral part of academic excellence. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities.

If you have any questions regarding the application process, eligibility, or a request for accommodation during the selection process, please contact a9ghosh@uwaterloo.ca.

We invite applications for one MSc position to participate in an ongoing (since 2021) collaborative research project, “Microplastics fingerprinting at the watershed scale: from sources to receivers” (“Microplastics Fingerprinting” for short). This project is funded by the NSERC funding program “Plastics science for a cleaner future." Understanding environmental nano- and micro- plastics (nano/microplastics) pollution and their associated health impacts and subsequently working to reduce their emission to the environment is now a major priority for Canada and other governments around the world. The main goals of the Microplastics Fingerprinting project at the University of Waterloo are to (1) advance the detection, quantification, and characterization of nano/microplastics in the environment and in drinking water sources, and (2) develop the assessment and modeling tools needed to predictively understand the sources and fate of different types of microplastics. In turn, the research will inform science-based risk assessments, governance approaches and adaptive management designed to reduce and prevent the environmental and health impacts of nano/microplastics.

The MSc student will be guided by a team of researchers from the University of Waterloo in the departments of Chemistry, Biology, Earth Sciences, Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, as well as collaborators from government and industry partner organizations.

MSc position description:

The MSc student will quantify and characterize nanoplastics in bottled and tap water. They will work to validate methods for the quantification of nanoplastics in water and then apply these methods to real bottled water samples. The methods used will include: Raman (micro)spectrocscopy to analyze particle surface chemistry, total organic carbon (TOC) analysis for nanoplastic concentrations, and zeta potential and hydrodynamic diameter analysis using multi-angle dynamic light scattering for effective particle charge and size. The overall goal of the MSc student’s research will be to characterize the amounts of nanoplastics in drinking water (bottled and tap water) and their physico-chemical properties. These results can inform decision makers about the potential health impacts of nanoplastics in drinking water.

Applicants must have (or expect to soon complete) a degree in chemistry, earth/environmental sciences, geochemistry, biology, civil/environmental engineering, or a related field. Preference will be given to candidates with strong quantitative and writing skills and demonstrated experience in one or more of the following areas: analytical chemistry, vibrational spectroscopy techniques, surface chemistry techniques.

If you have any questions regarding the application process and, eligibility, or a request for accommodation during the selection process, please contact Stephanie Slowinski (seslowin@uwaterloo.ca) and Anita Ghosh (a9ghosh@uwaterloo.ca). Please submit your application package electronically as a single pdf file to Anita Ghosh (a9ghosh@uwaterloo.ca).

Application Instructions

In your application email, please include “Nanoplastic-MSc_YourName” in the subject line and attach a single PDF file that contains:   

• Your motivation for applying to the position and your research interests 
• Your curriculum vitae
• Copy of transcript(s) (unofficial transcripts will be accepted at the application stage)
• Contact information for up to 3 references 

Closing date: Applications will be reviewed as they are received. The positions will remain open until filled. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.