[ES_JOBS_NET] Fwd: Four PhD positions in Canada

[Oliver Sonnentag]

Dear all, I hope this finds you well during these difficult times. I would
like to draw your attention to

*Four PhD positions in Canada: high-latitude land surface–atmosphere
interactions and tree hydrodynamics (positions are open for start in
September 2020 [PhD1-3] and January 2021 [PhD4])*



We are looking for four highly motivated individuals for PhD positions
focusing on changes in high-latitude land surface-atmosphere interactions
in northwestern Canada. Based at the Université de Montréal (UdeM; PhD1,
PhD2 and PhD4) and the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivière (UQTR; PhD
3),funding
packages for the four PhD positions include four-year stipends
($21,000/year), and travel and field expenses. Additional sources of
funding include university fellowships, tuition remission (international
students), research and teaching assistantships, and external sources
(e.g., Natural Sciences and Engineering and Research Council of Canada).
Details for all projects are to be determined and depend largely on the
student interest and background.



*PhD1: Land surface-atmosphere interactions across the boreal
treeline.*Co-supervised
by Dr. Oliver Sonnentag/UdeM and Dr. Philip Marsh/Wilfrid Laurier
University, the focus of this PhD project is on high-latitude
land-atmosphere interactions across the boreal treeline. The study area
consists of two nearby research sites near Inuvik, NT, Havikpak Creek
(sub-Arctic woodland with continuous permafrost) and Trail Valley Creek
(mineral upland tundra) where eddy covariance of carbon, water and energy
fluxes and ancillary measurements, and detailed hydrology, permafrost and
snow surveys have been made since 2013 and the early 1990s, respectively.



*PhD2: Land surface-atmosphere interactions near the southern limit of
permafrost. *Co-supervised by Dr. Oliver Sonnentag/UdeM and Dr. David
Olefeldt/University of Alberta, thestudy area for this PhD project consists
of three eddy covariance research sites in northern Alberta and the
southern Northwest Territories across the southern limit of permafrost. the
project aims to examine if permafrost thaw-induced changes in land cover
(e.g., wetland expansion at the expense of boreal forest) and thus land
surface atmosphere interactions observed in the isolated and sporadic
permafrost zones can be used to project similar changes in the
discontinuous permafrost zone as the regional climate keeps getting warmer.



*PhD3: Measurement and remote sensing of tree hydrodynamics. *Co-supervised
by Dr. Alexandre Roy/UQTR and Dr. Oliver Sonnentag/UdeM, this PhD project
will look at a variety of different instruments that measure tree water
transport and storage (e.g., high-frequency dendrometers [stem diameter],
thermal dissipation sensors [sap flux], Stevens Water HydraProbe
[dielectric properties]), in order to improve our understanding of
hydraulic strategies of boreal tree species. This project will first
examine at available datasets from various boreal forest sites in
Saskatchewan, Québec and Massachusetts, but the student will also conduct
fieldwork in order to instrument additional sites in Québec. A second step
of the project will look at monitoring tree hydraulic strategies across
North America’s boreal forests using microwave remote sensing observations
(e.g., Vegetation Optical Depth).



*PhD4: Multi-scale observations of tundra carbon and water fluxes.
*Co-supervised
by Dr. Oliver Sonnentag/UdeM and Dr. Carolina Voigt/UdeM & University of
Eastern Finland, this project contributes to a comprehensive effort to
quantify tundra carbon and water fluxes using “nested” eddy covariance and
chamber measurements (automated and manual) across spatial scales:
landscape- (mineral tundra and shrub patches) > ecosystem- (mineral tundra)
> plot-scale (mineral tundra cover types). These continuous measurements
are complemented by supporting campaign-based observations of permafrost,
topography and vegetation characteristics.



*Ideal applicants for all four PhD positions should have *

1)   a strong quantitative (including programming skills in Matlab and/or
R) and technical background obtained through a Master’s or Diploma degree
in ecology, biogeosciences, environmental sciences, hydrology, etc.,

2)    previous exposure to some aspects of the project (e.g., high latitude
ecosystems/ecohydrology/catchment science/biogeochemistry),

3)    (some) wilderness outdoor experience as the project requires frequent
traveling to and extended stays at the sites,

4)    the ability to work independently and effectively as part of a team
setting consisting of university and government researchers and Indigenous
communities, and

5)    proficiency in English (UQTR and UdeM are francophone research
universities, so knowledge of French is of great advantage but not
mandatory).



Please email questions regarding the PhD positions/admission processes and
application packages consisting of cover letter, curriculum vitae, an
English writing sample (ideally a publication), copies of academic
credentials, and names and contact information of at least two referees to:

oliver.sonnentag *at* umontreal.ca (PhD1, PhD2 and PhD4)

pmarsh *at* wlu.ca (PhD1)

olefeldt *at* ualberta.ca (PhD2)

alexandre.Roy at uqtr.ca (PhD3)

carolina.voigt *at* umontreal..ca (PhD4)


Sorry for the cross-posting, and thanks for sharing.

Regards, Oliver

Oliver Sonnentag, PhD

Professeur agrégé & Chaire de recherche du Canada en *Biogéosciences
atmosphériques en hautes latitudes*

Département de géographie

Université de Montréal

Montréal, QC

Canada
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