Student opportunities
We are currently seeking highly motivated students to participate in field and lab based research. Below are examples of student research topics at both the undergraduate and graduate level. The list provides a general idea of the range of possible research topics. Students will be actively involved in defining the actual scope, objectives and methodology of their projects. If you are interested in pursuing research in the biogeochemistry group, please contact us for more in-depth discussions.
We are seeking graduate students (MSc or PhD) to participate in collaborative investigations with colleagues at Wilfrid Laurier University, International Institute for Sustainable Development - Experimental Lakes Area (IISD-ELA), York University and University of Saskatchewan. These projects offer the opportunity to engage in laboratory and field studies at the IISD-ELA in northwestern Ontario and Yellowknife, NWT.
To apply or inquire about current opportunities, please email Dr. Sherry Schiff and include the following:
- your C.V.
- a brief description of your research interests and relevant experience.
Potential Projects
- Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) controls many of the key features of softwater lakes and rivers; pH, metal mobility and toxicity, light penetration, temperature and stratification, microbial ecology and carbon cycling. Not all DOC is the same. The quality of DOC governs the environmental role and ultimate fate of this most important form of aquatic carbon. Several field and lab based projects focus on the quality and fate of organic carbon.
- The flux of carbon dioxide from small headwater streams to the atmosphere is very poorly studied but may be large. We have recently developed an isotope-based technique for determining this carbon dioxide flux and are looking for an enthusiastic student to conduct field studies to test the effectiveness of the method. Field work will be conducted on small streams near Hunstville, Ontario.
- Carbon cycling in boreal lakes: Boreal systems are an important global store of carbon. DOC reaching boreal lakes and wetlands can be stored permanently in sediments or lost to the atmosphere as CO2. The partitioning of carbon between atmosphere and sediments governs the role in global C cycle. Field-based project in NWT.
If you are interested in a course-based Masters Degree, please contact us to discuss your research interests.
Employment opportunities
We routinely hire co-op and summer students (4 – 8 months).
Positions for 2022 have been filled.
Due to COVID-19 we are not currently accepting applications for technical positions.
Contact Richard Elgood (x33796) for information regarding current possibilities.