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Employment & Opportunities

Two Fully Funded PhD Positions in Climate Dynamics - Queen's University

Understanding Climate Tipping Points Through Earth System Modeling, Machine Learning, and Dynamical Systems Theory

The School of Environmental Studies at Queen’s University invites applications for two fully funded PhD positions beginning September 1, 2027. The projects will investigate the dynamical mechanisms underlying climate tipping points and transitions between alternative climate states by combining Earth system modeling, reduced-complexity modeling, machine learning, and dynamical systems theory. The overarching research goal is to understand how and why the climate system can transition between different states, and whether the mathematical and dynamical mechanisms underlying such transitions can be identified in complex Earth system models. Rather than treating Earth system models as black boxes, the projects will use reduced-complexity models and dynamical systems approaches to investigate climate feedbacks, stability, multiple equilibria, and tipping behavior. Each position provides guaranteed minimum funding of $35,000 per year for four years, consisting of a combination of Queen’s Graduate Award, teaching assistantships, and supervisor-supported research funding.

PhD Project 1: Reduced-Complexity Modeling for Paleoclimate Dynamics

This project will investigate the dynamics of past climate states and abrupt climate transitions. The research will combine Earth system model simulations with the development and analysis of reduced-complexity dynamical models. The student will investigate questions related to climate equilibria, stability, feedbacks, and the mechanisms that can lead to transitions between alternative climate states.

PhD Project 2: Reduced-Complexity Modeling for Future Climate Change

This project will investigate the dynamical response of the Earth system to future anthropogenic climate change. The research will use Earth system models, reduced-complexity dynamical models, and computational and machine-learning methods to explore climate trajectories, stability, feedbacks, and potential tipping behavior under different forcing scenarios.

The two projects will be closely connected, allowing the students to develop complementary perspectives on climate dynamics across past and future climate states.

Who should apply?

We seek highly motivated candidates with a strong quantitative background in computer science, mathematics, physics, meteorology, oceanography, environmental science, or a related discipline. Experience with scientific programming (e.g., R, Python, Linux, Fortran, or similar), numerical modeling, statistical methods, or machine learning is highly desirable. Prior experience with climate or Earth system science is an asset but is not required. Applicants do not need expertise in all of these areas. The projects are interdisciplinary, and successful candidates will have opportunities to develop expertise in areas beyond their initial training. The projects are particularly well suited to candidates who are interested in combining quantitative and computational methods with fundamental questions about the dynamics of the Earth system.

Research Environment and Training

The successful applicants will enroll in the School of Environmental Studies at Queen’s University and join an interdisciplinary research group led by Prof. Christian Seiler. Prof. Seiler is a faculty member in Environmental Studies and is cross-appointed with the School of Computing, providing opportunities to integrate natural and computational sciences and to develop expertise in scientific computing, machine learning, and Earth system science. The research will involve computational experiments with an Earth System Model, development and analysis of reduced-complexity dynamical models, machine learning, numerical methods, and high-performance scientific computing. Students will have access to high-performance computing resources and opportunities to
collaborate with academic and government research partners in Canada and Europe. The projects are designed to provide broad interdisciplinary training in climate science, Earth system modeling, dynamical systems theory, machine learning, and scientific computing, preparing graduates for careers in academic research, government science, climate modeling, data science, and computational science. Students will be supported in developing a strong publication record, with an expectation of approximately three peer-reviewed research articles during the PhD.

Funding and Research Support

The position provides guaranteed minimum funding of $35,000 per year for four years, consisting of a combination of Queen's Graduate Award, teaching assistantships, and supervisor-supported research funding. Current domestic tuition and fees are approximately $7,565 per year and are paid by the student from the funding package. In addition, all reasonable costs associated with conference participation, summer school, and publication will be covered by the research group. Students who obtain additional competitive scholarships or awards may receive additional funding in accordance with Queen’s University policies.

Eligibility

Due to funding restrictions, these positions are open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada only. Queen’s University is a research-intensive institution committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable academic environment. Applications are welcome from all qualified individuals, including women, visible minorities, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, and individuals of any sexual orientation or gender identity.

How to Apply

Please email Prof. Christian Seiler at christian.seiler@queensu.ca with the subject line “PhD in Climate Dynamics”. Please include: a cover letter describing your research interests, quantitative background, and motivation for pursuing a PhD in climate dynamics; a curriculum vitae; academic transcripts; and contact information for three referees. Applications received by December 1, 2026 will receive full consideration in the initial review. Applications will continue to be considered until the positions are filled. Early applications are encouraged. For further information, please visit the School of Environmental Studies at Queen’s University.

News & Events

Library Services Workshops - UBC

Information Skills Workshop

Date & Time: Monday, November 9, 11am – 12pm

Location: ESB 5104

Description:

Want to keep up to date with the most relevant papers being published in your field? Want to automate that process? With the massive amount of papers being published in the earth sciences, knowing how to properly use databases such as Scopus and GeoREf becomes key to finding the papers you are looking for. Being too general with your search strategy will leave you with hundreds of papers to filter out, being too specific will lead to omit some important publications you don’t want to miss.

Getting the Best Results Searching the Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Science Literature: Learn about advanced search techniques to get the most out of the Scopus, Compendex, and GeoRef databases. This workshop will cover advanced search techniques and strategies to help you find the best research with the least amount of effort.

Interested in what is going on at other universities and research organizations? Affiliation searching is an effective way of finding research published by a specific lab, university department, or companies such as ETH, Alfred Wegener, Golder and so on.

Citation alerts: Stay one top of the latest research published by academic or industry researchers by automating the search. Get the most focused research articles sent to your email inbox.

Who’s citing my articles? Just published an article and are interested in seeing where and how it’s been citing? You can track citations using the Scopus database.

Research Data Management Best Practices Workshop

Date & Time: Monday, November 16, 11am – 12pm

Location: ESB 5104

Description:

Are your files unfindable or poorly named? Do your directories need some structure?

Looking for a data repository to host your data?

This workshop might have the information you're looking for.

Workshop topics to be discussed include:

  FAIR Principles

    Data Organization Best Practices

      File Structures Directories / Subdirectories

      Data Backup

      File Naming

      README Files and Data Dictionaries

Data Management Plans

      Role of the Publisher / Funding Agency

   What goes into a DMP?

   Why might they be important?

Data Repositories

    Domain Specific and Generalist Repositories

   Dataset Metadata

   Dataset Submission

Making the most of your ORCID ID

Please feel free to bring any questions and issues you may have to the workshop.

Kevin Lindstrom, EOAS Librarian

Email: kevin.lindstrom@ubc.ca 

https://guides.library.ubc.ca/eos

UBC Oceans Larkin Award Lecture

Title: Domesticating fish in a rapidly changing world

Presenter: Dr. Fabrice Teletchea - University of Caen Normandy (France) 

Time and Location: October 29 at 6 pm at the Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries (2202 Main Mall)

Read more about the lecture topic and register at HERE.

Upcoming PRISMS Events for Graduate Students and Early-Career Researchers

Tri-Agency Scholarship Workshop 

The workshop will take place on October 26, 2026, from 12:00–1:45 PM in CEME 1203 (6250 Applied Science Lane, Vancouver).

Designed especially for master’s students, this workshop will offer practical tips for preparing strong scholarship applications, insights from students who have successfully navigated the process, and opportunities for peer discussion and feedback ahead of the upcoming UBC internal application deadline.

Tentative agenda:

• Crafting a compelling scholarship application with Dr. Xuan Zhang
• Student experiences and advice from successful applicants
• Peer discussion and application feedback

A light lunch and refreshments will be provided.

Please RSVP if you plan on attending the event by October 25, 2026 at 6pm, after which registration will close.

Ocean Research Seminar: Students & Early-Career Researchers

The seminar will take place on Friday, November 20, 2026, from 12:00–1:30 PM in ESB 5104 (2207 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC).

This interdisciplinary seminar will showcase ocean, coastal, and Arctic marine research. Graduate students and early-career researchers across engineering, social sciences, and natural sciences are invited to share their research and exchange ideas.

Faculty, staff, and graduate students are also welcome to attend and support their colleagues. Presenters will have the opportunity to practice communicating their research in a supportive, low-stakes environment and receive feedback.

Interested in presenting? We have just seven presentation spots available, allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to reserve your spot early!

Snacks and refreshments will be provided.

Please RSVP to present or attend through HERE.