Programs and Events

Canada-China Scholars' Exchange Program 2019-2020 / Programme d'échanges académiques Canada-Chine 2019-2020

Scholarships for Canadian academics, students and professionals: Canada-China Scholars’ Exchange Program, 2019-2020

Global Affairs Canada and the Chinese Ministry of Education are offering short-term scholarships to Canadians wishing to study abroad in China. Scholarships are awarded for studies, research, language studies or a combination of studies and language studies at participating Chinese institutions.

• Program name: Canada-China Scholars’ Exchange Program
• Funding organizations: Global Affairs Canada and the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China
• Target audiences: Canadian students (college, undergraduate and graduate levels in Canada); Canadian faculty members and research staff at a post-secondary institution in Canada; Canadian mid-career professionals
• Number of scholarships: Over 20
• Duration: 4 to 12 months for students; and 8 weeks to 12 months for faculty members and mid-career professionals
• Inclusions: Airfare, tuition fees, monthly living stipend, on-campus accommodation and medical insurance
• Deadline: March 1, 2019

For full program details and to submit an online application, visit: Canada-China Scholars’ Exchange Program.

All inquiries regarding this program should be directed to: scholarships-bourses@cbie.ca or 613-237-4820.

Subscribe to the International Scholarships RSS feed to be kept informed of competition dates and other news relating to the International Scholarships Program of Global Affairs Canada.

Employment Opportunities

2 PhDs in Paleolimnology/Paleoecology, University of Bern, Switzerland

Two fully funded PhD positions (3-4 years) are open for enthusiastic young researchers to work in the Paleolimnology research group at the Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research www.oeschger.unibe.ch & Institute of Geography, University of Bern, Switzerland http://www.geography.unibe.ch/research/paleolimnology_group/index_eng.html. 

The project will explore 15,000 years of evolution and ecosystem dynamics in Lake Victoria, East Africa, as reconstructed from sediment cores, fossils and ancient DNA. This Swiss NSF Sinergia project is a cooperation between U Bern, EAWAG (Swiss Federal Institute for Aquatic Research), the Centre for Geogenetics at U of Copenhagen, Denmark, the Tanzanian Fisheries Research Institute, U of Arizona, Massachusetts and others.

The two PhD projects in the Paleolimnology Group, University of Bern will focus on the paleoecological analysis of the cores:

- PhD limnogeology/biogeochemistry: will establish the core's sedimentology and explore novel ultrahigh-resolution scanning techniques (hyperspectral imaging, uXRF), HPLC analysis of sedimentary pigments and biomarkers; ICP-MS and FTIR spectroscopy techniques. The PhD is co-supervised by Prof. Flavio Anselmetti http://www.oeschger.unibe.ch/about_us/people/personalpage/index_eng.html?id=359.

- PhD paleoecology and 14C AMS dating: will analyse pollen, spores, palynomorphs, charcoal, macrofossils; and establish high-precision 14C chronologies with the in-house 14C AMS MICADAS Facility at the University of Bern. The PhD is co-supervised by Prof. Willy Tinner (http://www.ips.unibe.ch/research/paleo/index_eng.html) 

The successful candidates hold a Master (MSc) in earth or environmental sciences, physical geography, paleobotany, vegetation ecology, environmental chemistry or similar. The candidates are motivated to work with advanced laboratory techniques and will be trained. Experience in sedimentology and an interest in statistics is an additional asset. Strong language skills (English) are expected. The candidates will enrol in the Graduate School of Climate Sciences, University of Bern http://www.climatestudies.unibe.ch/.

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Martin Grosjean, Oeschger Centre & Institute of Geography
Salary: Swiss NSF PhD Fellowship (47,000 to 50,000 CHF, 100%).
The positions are available from March 1, 2019 (for 3-4 years), negotiable.

Review of applications starts on December 23, 2018 and continues until the positions are filled.

Please direct inquiries to Prof. Dr. Martin Grosjean martin.grosjean@oeschger.unibe.ch.

Applications: ONE (!) pdf with CV, letter of motivation, transcript of MSc with Grades, publication list, addresses of three referees) should be sent by email to:

Prof. Dr. Martin Grosjean
Oeschger Centre
University of Bern; Hochschulstrasse 4
3012 Bern, Switzerland

martin.grosjean@oeschger.unibe.ch; Tel: + 41 31 631 31 47

Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship, Natural Resources Canada CanmetMINING, Ontario

Potential impacts of climate change on the biogeochemistry of mine wastes and current reclamation approaches

Duration: 2 years
Start Date: January 2019
Expertise/background: geochemistry, mineralogy, microbiology or other fields of research relevant to the description
Conditions of Employment: the successful candidate will be hired initially as a casual employee (appointment for 90 working days), during which time s/he must meet the requirements of the NRCan PDF Inventory for employment to be extended beyond 90 days

CanmetMINING is conducting research into the use of organic residuals as oxygen-consuming covers, to mitigate acid mine drainage (AMD) and promote the revegetation of acid-generating sulfide wastes. The degradation of the organic matter will lead to a leaching of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and other constituents from the cover layer into the underlying waste layers. The infiltration of nitrogen and phosphorus, in particular, has been documented to extend into the deeper, unoxidized strata of some tailings impoundments. This raises the concern that nitrate could facilitate the continued oxidation of the sulfide minerals even at depths where molecular oxygen has been eliminated. CanmetMINING is currently seeking a post-doctoral researcher to examine the rate and extent of pyrite and pyrrhotite oxidation in the presence of nitrate in anoxic environments, using a combination of field and laboratory-based biotic and abiotic experiments. The research will make use of a multi-disciplinary approach involving aqueous geochemistry, mineralogy, microbiology and molecular biology. This project also will be conducted under the mandate of a research program to address climate change impacts in the mining industry, and therefore will be expected to demonstrate linkage of the research with aspects of climate change (e.g., changes in oxidation rate related to changes in temperature, degree of tailings saturation, etc.). Interested applicants are asked to forward their CV to Sean Langley at the address above, or by email to sean.langley@canada.ca.

Post-Doctoral Position, Environmental Fluid Mechanics, UNIL

We are seeking a full-time Postdoctoral Research Assistant to join the Environmental Fluid Mechanics laboratory, led by Professor Pietro de Anna, in the Institute of Earth Science (University of Lausanne, Switzerland).  This post is part of the Future and Emerging Technology Grant project (no. 828890) entitled: NAtuRal instability of semi-Conductors thIn SOlid films for sensing and photonic applications (NARCISO), and is for a term of 1 year, renewable.

Desired profile
Doctoral degree (or be near completion) in Physics or Mechanical Engineering or Civil & Environmental Engineering or related discipline. A background on optical microscopy, image processing and microfluidics (use and fabrication) ideally in relation to fluid mechanics. Excellent command of written and spoken English.  Working knowledge of French is not necessary. Interest in developing microfluidics devices and optical investigation techniques to investigate flow driven processes in confined media (e.g. colloids/microbes filtration,
biofilm growth, solutes transport and mixing). Commitment to research based on experimental and modeling approaches.

Description of responsibilities
The successful candidate will develop novel microfluidics devices (made of different materials) to investigate filtration of transported colloids through confined micro-structures. The physical (topology of the structures) and chemical (choice and treatment of the material) properties will be tuned independently. Using pumps, pressure controllers and time-lapse video-microscopy, flow experiments through these heterogeneous structures will be performed to investigate how transported colloids are retained by the solid walls of the microstructure.  Similar experiments will be planned to investigate the microbial retention and biofilm growth in these confined micro-structures. The collected images will be processed and analyzed with in-house software (partially to be developed by the candidate).

Application documents:
• Motivation letter (describing how your research interests, past experience, and future plans fit with the advertised position);
• Curriculum vitae;
• Contact information for two professional references.

The application documents must be submitted as a single PDF file via email to Prof. Pietro de Anna (pietro.deanna@unil.ch). Candidatures will be considered as soon as they will be received. Any questions can be directed to Prof. Pietro de Anna.
 

Postdoctoral Position in Reactive Transport Modelling - Forschungszentrum Jülich, Germany

the Institute of Energy and Climate Research - Nuclear Waste Management and Reactor Safety (IEK-6) of Forschungszentrum Jülich, Germany, performs cutting-edge research in the fields of nuclear waste management and safety, considering the process of “Energiewende”, the transition of the German energy system. Within a multidisciplinary collaborative research project, we have an open position for a Postdoctoral researcher in the field of "Reactive Transport Phenomena/Reactive Transport Modelling".

For more information and how to apply, please see here.

Three Permanent Positions for Junior (Lecturer/Senior Lecturer), Imperial College London

Situated in the heart of South Kensington’s museum district, the Department of Earth Science and Engineering at Imperial College London employs ~45 academic staff members and ~85 postdoctoral research scientists supported by a team of 26 professional and technical staff. Our academics and researchers are at the cutting edge of discovering how Earth and planetary systems work and how natural resources and energy can be sustainably extracted and utilized, using a combination of pure and applied research. We are a multidisciplinary and diverse community that promotes inclusive and collaborative work. We have strong ties with colleagues across Imperial College London and have a track record of working closely with our neighbours at the Natural History Museum who offer complementary expertise, access to unique sample collections, impressive analytical facilities and outreach opportunities. We collaborate with colleagues both nationally and internationally.

Our research is wide-ranging and is performed across three sections: Earth & Planets, Petroleum Geoscience and Engineering and Computational Geoscience and Engineering. Our teaching involves Undergraduate-level courses in Geology, Geophysics and Petroleum Geoscience and Masters-level courses in Petroleum Geoscience, Petroleum Engineering and Metals and Energy Finance. We continue to develop our teaching portfolio and have recently added a new MSc course in Applied Computational Science and Engineering and a new undergraduate degree scheme in Earth & Planetary Science.

Duties and responsibilities

We invite applications for three permanent positions to join our friendly and dynamic department. We are looking for colleagues in any area that complements and enriches our existing activities. You will be committed to performing original research, looking to develop an international reputation for the quality of your research, open to growing your research interests, and intending to write research funding bids and engage in opportunities to do so with your colleagues in the department and across Imperial College London. You should be excited to join our dedicated teaching programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, engage with our curious and talented students, and help your colleagues within the department and across Imperial College London with administrative activities, thereby contributing to our excellent national and international reputation.

We will help you to develop, build, nurture and inspire your research group, to become an international leader in your field, and to provide the best possible educational experience to our students. You may be a Postdoc, Research Fellow, or already hold a Lectureship or Senior Lectureship or an equivalent position (Assistant Professor) at an academic institution or industrial organisation.

Essential requirements

For appointment to Lecturer, in addition to relevant post-doctoral experience, applicants will possess a doctorate in Earth Science, Engineering or a related discipline, a number of high-quality publications in refereed journals, and evidence of the skills and qualities required for winning research funding.

For appointment to Senior Lecturer, candidates will have a growing internationally-recognised research record in Earth Science, Engineering or a related discipline. In addition, candidates will have contributed to undergraduate and/or postgraduate teaching, have a track record of participation in successful postgraduate student supervision, and a history of attracting research funding.

Further information

To apply, please visit our website: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/jobs/. You will find this vacancy by searching either the position title or job number: ENG00595. Within your submission please ensure you include: 

• a completed application form
• a full CV (including a list of publications) that covers any aspects of your career not covered by the application form
• a statement of your research plans over the next 5 years (2 pages maximum)
• a brief statement of your teaching interests (1-page maximum)

We are looking for colleagues who are available to start on or after 1 March 2019.

For academic enquires please feel free to contact the Head of Department, Mark Sephton, via email: m.a.sephton@imperial.ac.uk.

Should you have any queries about the formal side of the application process, please contact Katie Rycraft, Resource and Research Administrator via email:k.rycraft@imperial.ac.uk.

For technical issues when applying online, please contact: recruitment@imperial.ac.uk

Closing date: 11th January 2019.

Graduate student opportunities in Geological Sciences at the Univ. Manitoba and Brandon University

Arctic Systems
We seek a MSc or PhD student to study sources of methane along the Terrestrial-Marine carbon continuum, Nelson River Drainage System, Manitoba. The project aims to investigate sources and sinks for methane to help understand carbon dynamics in Canadian Arctic ecosystems. Partners involved are experts from industry and government (Manitoba Hydro and NRCan). Project objectives include identification of gas sources in terrestrial, wetlands and marine settings. The
work will focus on stable isotope analysis of C, H and utilization of clumped isotopes. This is a Center for Earth Observation Science (CEOS)-Manitoba Isotope Research Facility (MIRF) joint
project.

Nuclear Waste Management
We seek two MSc students or one PhD student to study high-latitude fluid induced porosity in rocks capable of hosting high-level used nuclear fuel. Subproject 1, involves the study of porosity and permeability of natural samples as analogues for the disposal of high-level nuclear waste in a deep geological repository (DGR). Subproject 2, is an experimentally based project to simulate the conditions that create porosity and permeability in environments capable of hosting a DGR.  Both projects will focus on using neutron scattering and CT techniques (among other methods) to quantify the porosity and permeability in the samples. This project is in collaboration with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

Uranium Deposits
We seek one MSc student to study the geochronology and isotope geochemistry of a uranium deposit in the Athabasca Basin. Partners involved are experts from industry (Orano Resources Canada). Students will be expected to develop a deposit model using a variety of petrographic and isotopic techniques to link the fluid evolution of the deposit to tectonic events.  Interested students should contact Mostafa Fayek, Dept. Geological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Mostafa.Fayek@umanitoba.ca. Preferred start date for these projects is September 2nd, 2019.

Project: A funded M.Sc. position is available at the Geology Department of Brandon University, in the field of uranium deposits in the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan. The project involves
work at remote exploration camp and travel to Saskatoon. Qualifications: Interested applicants should hold a 4-year BSc degree in geology by the beginning of the project, have strong background in petrology and geochemistry, and meet or exceed the admission requirements for Brandon University’s MELS program.

Location: Brandon University
Starting date: September 1, 2019
Application deadline: February 28, 2019
How to Apply: Please apply with (1) a letter of interest outlining your suitability for the position and research interests and (2) your CV, including transcripts and the name and contact information of three references; in a single PDF document. Send your application to Dr. P.
Alexandre at alexandrep@brandonu.ca by February 28, 2019. Only those selected for interview will be contacted.

The successful applicant will be required to submit a formal application for graduate studies at Brandon University and meet all the institutional and departmental requirements for admission: https://www.brandonu.ca/mels/how-to-apply/

PhD Studentship: Mapping Change in New Zealand’s Oceans using Deep Sea Corals

We wish to announce an exciting PhD studentship to be held jointly at Victoria University of Wellington (VUW) and the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), in affiliation with the Australian National University (ANU).

This research seeks to study the changing oceans around New Zealand, from pre-anthropogenic to modern times, using deep sea corals as a natural archive of ocean circulation and productivity.

New Zealand is bathed by the waters of the vast South Pacific Gyre, resulting in a strong gradient in ocean conditions. Nutrient-depleted subtropical waters from the North mix with nutrient-rich subpolar waters from the South stimulating vast phytoplankton blooms that sustain a rich fishery. However, these waters are changing: an acceleration of the gyre is driving regional climate change and impacting marine primary productivity. This project will combine novel geochemical analysis of long-lived deep-sea corals from locations all around New Zealand with state-of-the-art ocean modelling to map New Zealand’s changing ocean dynamics from pre-industrial to modern times.

We seek a student with skills in geochemistry and numerical analysis, and a background in oceanography or earth sciences. The student will gain experience in a range of cutting-edge geoanalytical techniques and working with global climate/ocean biogeochemical models. The studentship will support a stipend, fees and all research costs, including travel to Australia to train in radiocarbon analysis, and overseas conferences and workshops.

Applicants should apply to Dan Sinclair (dan.sinclair@vuw.ac.nz), sending a cover letter that includes a statement of research experience/interests, contact details of 3 academic referees, a curriculum vitae and a copy of current academic transcript (certified transcripts will be requested of short-listed candidates). Candidates attending the upcoming AGU Fall Meeting will have an opportunity to meet with Dan after his session (PP23B: Tuesday 11th December 13:40) or at his poster (PP33C-1738: Wednesday 12th December). Review of applications will begin early January 2019, with interviews scheduled for the last week of January. To be guaranteed consideration, applications should be received by Monday January 14th.

For more information, in the 1st instance contact Dan Sinclair (dan.sinclair@vuw.ac.nz).