Opportunities

Assistant/Associate Professor, Environmental Geophysics

The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences in the Faculty of Science at the University of Waterloo, invites applications from outstanding scholars and researchers for a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor. In exceptional cases, an appointment at the rank of Associate Professor will be considered. The salary range at the Assistant Professor rank is $100,000 to $125,000 per year; the salary range for an Associate Professor is $115,000 to 140,000 per year. Starting salaries beyond these ranges will be considered for exceptionally qualified candidates. The start date for the appointment can be as early as July 1, 2024.


The successful candidate must have a PhD in earth sciences or a closely related field and a strong track record of scientific achievements, as demonstrated by publications in leading journals, and a proven aptitude for interdisciplinary research. The successful candidate is expected to supervise graduate students and establish an internationally recognized, and independently funded, research program that will enhance and complement the research and education activities of EES. The successful candidate will be eligible for and expected to apply for professional licensure (Professional Geoscientists Ontario or Professional Engineers Ontario).


Teaching responsibilities will include introductory and advanced undergraduate and graduate courses in geophysics, and possibly geological engineering in our various departmental programs. Applicants should have excellent communication skills and a strong commitment to teaching. The University of
Waterloo greatly values faculty members who implement innovative learning methods and actively participate in curriculum development.


We are particularly interested in applicants who conduct experimental and/or theoretical
geophysical studies related to near-surface hydrological and (bio)geochemical processes, for example, soil moisture and temperature dynamics, thawing permafrost, groundwater-surface water interaction, and subsurface ecosystems. Areas of application range from the protection and sustainable use of
surface and groundwater resources, contaminant fate and transport (including emerging contaminants) and climate change and geohazards.


EES is a research-intensive department with internationally recognized strengths in hydrogeology, environmental (bio)geochemistry, geomicrobiology, ecohydrology, limnology, petrology, structural
geology, paleoenvironmental evolution, mineral resource development, and engineering geology. With 27 faculty members and about 100 postdoctoral fellows and graduate students, EES is one of the largest geoscience departments in Canada. The successful candidate will develop strong research synergies within EES and take full advantage of the extensive collaborative opportunities available beyond the department, for example those catalyzed by University of Waterloo’s recent launch of its Sustainability Futures Initiatives.


The closing date for applications is January 31, 2024. Three letters of reference will be requested for applicants invited for an interview. To apply, please send curriculum vitae, cover letter, teaching and research statements and up to 3 examples of published or in press refereed articles to: Dr. Chris Yakymchuk, Chair of Search Committee (electronic submission via klalbrec@uwaterloo.ca or mail to
Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1 Canada).
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the
Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand
River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is centralized within our Indigenous Initiatives Office
(https://uwaterloo.ca/human-rights-equity-inclusion/indigenousinitiatives).


The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff.
The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as Indigenous peoples
(e.g., First Nations, Métis, Inuit/Inuk), Black, racialized, people with disabilities, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.
The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview or workplace accommodation requests, or any questions regarding the
position, the application process, assessment process, or eligibility, please contact Lorraine Albrecht, Administrative Assistant (klalbrec@uwaterloo.ca).


All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.


Three reasons to apply: https://uwaterloo.ca/faculty-association/why-waterloo.

Residential development impact scorecard for the environment project opportunities

(1) Research scientist / post-doctoral fellow – Model Integration Specialist

We are looking for a qualified integrated modeler to join our team as a research scientist / post-doctoral fellow. This key team member will be responsible for ensuring best practices for integration, verification and validation of integrated project models that will be critical in the development of the RISE Scorecard.

Anticipated start date: 2024

The research scientist / post-doctoral fellow will work under the co-supervision of Prof. Dawn Parker and Prof. Michael Drescher in the School of Planning and Prof. Derek Robinson in the Department of Geography and Environmental Management.

For more details, including how to apply, click the link below.

Open for applications. Apply by December 1, 2023 for full consideration.


(2) Research Assistant – Participatory GIS Tool Developer

We are looking for a qualified GIS specialist research assistant to join our team. The research assistant will work at the heart of the RISE project and team to develop a GIS tool for participatory modelling that will evaluate how changes in residential site plans might change terrestrial carbon sequestration and stormwater runoff in residential developments.

Anticipated start date: January 2024.

The research assistant will work under the co-supervision of Prof. Dawn Parker in the School of Planning and Prof. Derek Robinson in the Department of Geography and Environmental Management.

For more details, including how to apply, click the link below.

Open for applications. Apply by November 15, 2023 for full consideration.


(3) Research Assistant – Participatory Modelling Planning/Design

We are looking for a qualified participatory modelling planning/design research assistant to join our team. The research assistant will work with the core team to assist in calculating baseline carbon and stormwater trajectories and in participatory site plan scenario modelling using RISE tools.

Anticipated start date: January 2024.

The research assistant will work under the co-supervision of Prof. Dawn Parker and Prof. Michael Drescher in the School of Planning, Faculty of Environment.

For more details, including how to apply, click the link below.

Open for applications. Apply by November 15, 2023 for full consideration.

9 Collaborative Postdoctoral, PhD and MSc Positions Available - Adaptive Management of Green Stormwater

Adaptive Management of Green Stormwater Infrastructure to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Urban Watersheds

We invite applications for two postdoctoral fellow (PDF), five PhD and two MSc positions to participate in a collaborative 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 CO2 saturation 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 from University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University, University of Toronto and University of Guelph. The research team will regularly interact with scientists, practitioners, decision-makers, and public participants from stakeholder 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. Preference will 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 will be 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.

7 Collaborative Postdoctoral, PhD and MSc Positions Available - CLAWAVE

CLAWAVE: Chemical Load Assessments for Watersheds: Automation and Visualization Experience

We invite applications for two postdoctoral fellow (PDF), two PhD and three MSc positions to participate in a collaborative 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 from University 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 team will 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. Preference will 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.

MSc and PhD Opportunities - Can-Peat: Canada's peatlands as nature-based solution

MSc and PhD Opportunities at the University of Waterloo

We invite applications for one MSc and one PhD positions to participate in a recently funded collaborative research project called “Can-Peat: Canada’s peatlands as nature-based solutions to climate change”. The main goal of the Can-Peat project is to quantify the potential of peatland management in Canada to contribute to climate change mitigation as a nature-based solution. The Can-Peat project objectives are to create a Canadian peatland research network to advance models of peatland carbon cycling from site to national-scale and develop a decision-support framework for peatland management. The students will be guided by a team of researchers from the University of Waterloo and collaborators from partners in governments, industries, and conservation organizations.

MSc student will assemble a dataset of peatland physical, hydrological, and biogeochemical properties (including experimental data and field observations) from the selected study sites in the compilation of peatland datasets proposed in Can-Peat project. MSc student will use a robust machine learning model using the data to identify key environmental drivers and predict future changes in greenhouse gas emission rates under future climate scenarios. The goal will be to establish how peatlands in different regions are expected to respond to changing anthropogenic disturbances and climate warming to better understand the peatland carbon and greenhouse gas exchange and the resilience of their carbon source/sink function to disturbance.

PhD student will 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.

Applicants must have (or expect to soon complete) a degree in biogeochemistry, hydrology, soil science or a related field. Preference will be given to candidates with strong quantitative skills and demonstrated experience in one or more of the following areas: terrestrial biogeochemistry, environmental engineering, reactive transport modeling, and environmental climate change impact analysis. MSc student position can be created in lieu of a PhD position for exceptional candidates who prefer to undertake a Master’s degree.

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). Please submit your application package electronically as a single pdf file to Dr. Fereidoun Rezanezhad (frezanez@uwaterloo.ca). In your application email, please include “Can-Peat-MSc or PhD#_yourname” in the subject line and attach a single PDF file that contains:

  • Your motivation for applying to the position and your research interests
  • 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.

The University is committed to implementing the Calls to Action framed by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We acknowledge that we live and work on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. The University of Waterloo is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes ten kilometers on each side of the Grand River.

The University of Waterloo regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. As such, we encourage applications from women, persons with disabilities, Indigenous peoples (First Nations, Metis and Inuit), Black and members of racialized groups, individuals in the LGBTQ2+ communities, and contribute to the further diversification of ideas.

Postdoctoral Position in Groundwater Modeling

Global Water Futures (GWF): Solutions to Water Threats in an Era of Global Change

The GWF program (http://gwf.usask.ca/) is a collaborative initiative between multiple Canadian universities and partner organizations funded through the Canada First Research Excellence Fund. GWF aims to deliver risk management solutions for water resources and services – informed by leading edge water science and supported by innovative decision-making tools – in Canada and throughout the cold regions of the world.

We are looking to hire at the Post Doctoral Fellow (PDF) level in the area of Groundwater Modeling at the University of Waterloo (UW) as part of a multidisciplinary GWF modeling and forecasting team. The candidate will directly link to UW research strengths in hydrogeology, hydrology, ecohydrology, environmental (bio)geochemistry, high-performance computing, information systems, water economics, and water governance. The successful candidate will be directly involved in the GWF research projects and end-user needs. For more information about water research at the UW: https://uwaterloo.ca/water-institute.

Position:

The successful candidate will be able to engage in a wide range of topics, including groundwater flow and contaminant fate and transport modeling, groundwater-surface water interactions, integrated hydrologic modeling, vadose zone process modeling including freeze-thaw phenomena, source water protection, permafrost hydrology, ecohydrology and uncertainty and risk assessment analysis. Specific skills that would be beneficial for this position include: advanced numerical methods; ability to program in a high-level programming language; and experience with fully integrated, variably saturated hydrologic models applied at multiple scales and under freezing and thawing conditions. The candidate will work under the supervision of Professor David Rudolph and their performance will be assessed annually. Funding for the position is initially available for one year with the potential for an extension depending on funding.

Applicants:

Applicants must have a PhD in a relevant water science field or in civil/environmental engineering. They must demonstrate strong quantitative skills and have a track record of research productivity, including peer-reviewed publications. Previous postdoctoral experience is desirable, but not necessary. Additional desired qualifications include experience supervising students, good communication skills and fluency in English. They must be able to work independently, as well as part of a multidisciplinary research team. They will be expected to produce peer-reviewed journal publications and technical reports. They will interact on a regular basis with external partners and practitioners.

Applications:

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter in which they state their motivation and professional expectations. In addition, a curriculum vitae, academic transcripts and contact information of three references are required. All documentation submitted must be assembled in a single pdf file and sent to gwf-uw@uwaterloo.ca with PDSMOD-GWF-YourName in the subject line.

Applications will be accepted immediately and reviewed beginning October 7th, 2022. The positions will remain open until filled. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Equity Statement:

The University of Waterloo is committed to implementing the Calls to Action framed by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We acknowledge that we live and work on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. The University of Waterloo is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuit/Inuk, Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

Modeling of the winter carbon losses in cold region wetland ecosystems under current and future climates

A postdoctoral Fellow (PDF) position is available to participate in a research project to evaluate the impact of winter warming mitigation in controlling carbon losses from pan-Canadian wetland and permafrost ecosystems. The goal of this project is to advance the fundamental, process-based understanding of the function of soil biogeochemical processes in cold region environments during the fall-winter and winter-spring transitions and during the non-growing season (NGS) by creating the foundation for the predictive modelling of winter carbon losses in cold region wetland and permafrost ecosystems under current and future climates. The main tasks of the PDF will be developing reactive transport and bioenergetic models to simulate the biogeochemical transformations of carbon and nutrients under winter warming scenarios to quantify future northern wetland and permafrost ecosystems carbon balances during the period of NGS respiration.

Applicants must have a PhD in a relevant natural science or engineering field, and have a track record of research productivity, including peer-reviewed publications. Preference will be given to candidates with demonstrated skills and experience in numerical mathematical modeling, programming and numerical analysis in soil biogeochemistry and reactive transport modeling. The PDF will work within a multidisciplinary team with significant strengths in ecohydrology, environmental-(bio)geochemistry, microbiology, chemistry, hydrogeology and high-performance computing. Funding for the positions is available for up to two years. For further information regarding this position, or to submit an application, please contact Dr. Fereidoun Rezanezhad (frezanez@uwaterloo.ca).

Application Instructions

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

  • A cover letter stating your motivation for applying to this position and your research interests
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Copy of unofficial transcripts
  • 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.