Aurora

Employment & Opportunities

PhD Studentship: AI-Enhanced Wave & Ice Modelling for Lake Huron - Queen's University

Queen’s University invites applications for a PhD studentship with Drs Jason Olsthoorn and Leon Boegman to develop an augmented AI/ML modelling framework for simulating wave and ice dynamics in Lake Huron. 

Why This Matters

Accurate wave and ice modelling is essential for protecting ecosystems, ensuring regulatory compliance, and planning for climate change. By combining AI/ML with physics-based approaches, this research delivers faster, more reliable predictions that support
sustainable freshwater management and informed decision-making.

Project Highlights

• Build AI/ML models for wave height and ice cover
• Integrate with physics-based hydrodynamic models (MIKE3 FM, AEM3D)
• Simulate hydro-climatic scenarios under future climate projections

Required:

• Master’s in engineering, Applied Math, Physics, or related fields
• Proficiency in Python
• Experience with machine learning
• Strong quantitative/numerical modelling skills

Desirable:

• Experience with data visualization
• Interest in climate/freshwater environmental modelling
• Scientific communication skills

What You’ll Gain

Advanced expertise in AI/ML-based environmental modelling, publications, real-world impact via industry collaboration, and a diverse, inclusive research environment.

Application Process

Email a CV with a statement of interest to Jason.Olsthoorn@queensu.ca (Subject: AI/ML Wave & Ice Modelling). Application review will begin on Jan 28, 2026 and continue until the position is filled. The position will start in Fall 2026 or at a mutually agreed-upon date.

Opportunities from the UBC Sustainability Hub

SUSTAINABILITY AMBASSADORS

Audience: Undergraduate and graduate students

The Sustainability Ambassadors program is a unique learning and leadership experience for students interested in community-engaged learning and sustainability. The program connects students with community partners to work collaboratively to drive engagement and increase awareness in sustainability, wellbeing and climate justice issues. This volunteer opportunity is open to UBC undergraduate and graduate students in all programs (no previous experience in sustainability is required). Apply by Feb. 9.

SUSTAINABILITY SCHOLARS 

Audience: Graduate students

The Sustainability Scholars program is an innovative paid internship opportunity open to all UBC graduate students in all programs. Students are matched with on- and off-campus partners to work on applied research projects that advance sustainability across the region. Join an online info session on January 14 or 22 and a resume workshop on January 19 to learn more about the program and refine your application. Apply by Feb.1.

SUSTAINABILITY EDUCATION FELLOWS

Audience: UBC Vancouver Faculty

The Sustainability Education Fellows program offers up to $20,000 over two years to support UBC Vancouver faculty in developing new sustainability-related curriculum across disciplines. Two or more faculty members from different Faculties or departments are required per application. Apply by Feb.16.

CLIMATE TEACHING CONNECTOR

Audience: UBC Vancouver Faculty

Coordinated by the Sustainability Hub, the Climate Teaching Connector offers UBC Vancouver instructors an accessible way to integrate climate change-related content into their courses. The program connects faculty with qualified UBC graduate students from diverse disciplines who deliver 50- or 80-minute free guest presentations grounded in their graduate program, research, lived experiences, and unique climate perspectives. Learn more about the program and connect with Oliver Lane (oliver.lane@ubc.ca) to book a guest lecture today! (limited availability)

Postdoctoral Fellow in Canadian Water Politics and Policy - Toronto Metropolitan University

Are you a doctoral candidate or early-career scholar interested in water politics, policy, and governance?

Toronto Metropolitan University is now accepting applications for the Geoffrey F. Bruce Postdoctoral Fellowship in Canadian Water Politics and Policy — a unique opportunity to conduct applied, policy-relevant research on some of the most pressing freshwater challenges facing Canada.

Established by Erika v.C. Bruce in honour of Geoffrey Bruce’s leadership in Canadian and international environmental and freshwater policy, the Bruce Fellowships support the next generation of water policy researchers and leaders.

This fellowship is designed for emerging scholars working at the intersection of water politics, political economy, sovereignty, security, diplomacy, and governance. Applicants with backgrounds in political science, public policy, law, Canadian politics, international relations, Indigenous water governance, hydropolitics and related fields are encouraged to apply.

👉 Learn more and view the full posting here.

Postdoc Position in Machine Learning and Ocean and Atmosphere Dynamics - UCLA and UCSD

Position: Full-Time

Salary: $75000 annually plus benefits

Start date: Spring 2025

A challenge in earth sciences is obtaining coincident, collocated, high-resolution measurements of the ocean and atmosphere. Geostationary satellites continuously collect large amounts of imagery of the ocean surface. Our team has developed GOFLOW, a machine learning framework that leverages these satellite datasets to infer surface velocity fields. By applying data-driven techniques, GOFLOW captures ocean dynamics from basin scales down to the submesoscale at sub-hourly temporal resolution.

Kaushik Srinivasan (UCLA), Luc Lenain (UCSD), Roy Barkan (TAU/UCLA) and Nick Pizzo (URI) are seeking a full-time postdoctoral research associate with a background in machine learning, data science, atmospheric sciences, physical oceanography, or a related field. The postdoc will be funded through the Office of Naval Research and will be located at UCLA and UCSD.

The postdoctoral scholar will develop and expand the capabilities of GOFLOW while pursuing relevant science related questions on ocean and atmospheric dynamics and interactions.

Qualifications include: a Ph.D. in data sciences, atmospheric sciences, physical oceanography, or a related field, completed prior to postdoctoral appointment start date; strong programming skills in Python or a related language; experience with large data sets desirable; strong writing skills and experience with submission of manuscripts to academic journals; demonstrated ability to work both collaboratively as part of a research team and independently. Two-year commitment required.

To apply, please send the following to llenain@ucsd.edu and kaushiks@atmos.ucla.edu:

• curriculum vitae

• statement of research interests and experience

• contact information for three references

For full consideration, materials should be received by March 1, 2026.

PhD position in Geophysical Fluid Dynamics - University of Muenster, Germany 

The Geophysical and Planetary Fluid Dynamics group at the Institute of Geophysics, University of Muenster (led by Adrian van Kan) is recruiting a PhD student to work on numerical and theoretical studies of geophysical turbulence with a focus on rapidly rotating convection at parameter values comparable to those in Earth's outer core. The detailed research project can be tailored to the interests of the successful candidate. The intended start date for the position is April 1st 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is for three years and includes a teaching component. Knowledge of German is advantageous but not required. The city of Münster boasts a high quality of life -- in 2004, it was awarded the LivCom-Award for the most livable city in the world with between 200,000 and 750,000 inhabitants. For more details on the position and how to apply, click here.