Aurora

Aurora is our weekly newsletter aimed at faculty, staff, and students of the department.

Volume
26

No.
45

Employment & Opportunities

Research Associate Position on “Water Quality Modelling in River/reservoir Networks” - University of Granada

Job information

Institute: Water Research Institute, Granad (Spain)
Supervision: Prof Francisco Rueda (University of Granada)
Expected start date in position: 03/2023
Contract length: 6 months renewable until November 30, 2024.
Activity rate: 100%
Workplace: Water Research Institute (Granada)

Your qualification

A highly-motivated scientist with a MSc/PhD degree in environmental sciences/engineering, applied mathematics or any related discipline. The candidate is expected to have experience in environmental modelling and programming (Matlab, R or similar), and, previous experience with field instrumentation and sampling in the context of environmental applications. The candidate will work together with water-resource scientists to develop and embed a water quality model in a large-scale water resource optimization model. Team player and excellent skills in English language and scientific writing are required.

The position

The existing tools used in water resource management (WRM) at the basin scale are largely based on optimization exercises in which the limited volume of water available on any given year is distributed among alternative economic uses. In this exercise, the quality of water ecosystems is incorporated as a restriction, through ecological flows. In this line of research, we propose that the integrigy of aquatic ecosystems should be explicitly incorporated as an objective and not as restriction so that the tools used for water resource management may become adaptable to climate changing conditions. The work conducted by the candidate will focus on implementing, calibrating and validating water quality models of varying levels of complexity in a river network of an alpine semi-arid watershed with multiple reservoirs for long-term simulations, and under different climate-change scenarios. Water quality modelling, with sparse data bases having low sampling frequencies, can be very demanding, given the little data available for calibration and the large uncertainty associated to biogeochemical parameters that needs to be quantified. The candidate will collaborate in assembling historical data sets (including data collected by water agencies on a semi-regular basis, and, other derived from satellite information), and, lead a field campaing aimed at gathering new data sets based autonomous sensors and oportunistic/regular sampling. The candidate will be integrated in a multidisciplinary team with other MSc/PhD students and postdocs, collaborating with national and international colleagues and research teams from the Spanish Geological Survey (IGME-CSIC, Dr. David Pulido), the University of Huelva (Prof. Laura Galán) and University of California-Davis (Prof. Geoffrey Schladow).

What the position offers you

The candidate will be working at the Department of Civil Engineering and the Water Research Institute WRI (University of Granada, Spain), a well-funded institute with a multidisciplinary focus on environmental issues related to water, covering meteorology and climatology, physical limnology, ecology, biogeochemistry, surface and ground-water hydrology, sanitary engineering, environmental microbiology, and water resources management and policy. The WRI specifically promotes interdisciplinary research within and between the social and natural sciences. The candidate will have opportunities to interact with other researchers at the Institute and other Departments (Applied Physics, Hydraulics, …) in a crossdisciplinaryn environment, with collaborative cutting-edge research programs for reservoirs and climate actions. Depending on performance and the availability of additional sources of funding, the position could be extended for a longer period of time.

Contact for further information and applications
For further information, contact Prof. Francisco Rueda, fjrueda@ugr.es.
Application deadline: The application will be open from December 9 to December 22, 2022. Only applications made through UGR will be taken into account.
You will have to include:
- Copy of your Spanish ID (or equivalent for European Citizens) or passport.
- Copy of the your degree (Bachelor/Master/PhD)
- Academic records and transcripts for your describing Bachelor/Master Level courses taken and academic experience.
- CV and documentation needed to certify the merits that will be used by the Evaluation Committee.

PhD Position on Modelling Water Quality and Climate Services of Wetlands at the Continental Scale - University of Waterloo

One fully funded 4-year PhD position available at the University of Waterloo on Mapping Wetland Restoration Scenarios at continental scales.

Wetland restoration is a key strategy to sequester soil organic carbon and improve downstream water quality via nutrient retention; however, wetlands can also be potential sources of greenhouse gases (GHGs), namely methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). Furthermore, wetland restoration on cropland might not be an economically viable strategy, thereby limiting widespread adoption of restoration. For wetland restoration to be successful it is necessary to explicitly consider the potential benefits and tradeoffs, and focus restoration in locations where synergies can be maximized.

The project involves using remotely sensed wetland information with empirical and process-models of varying levels of complexity to quantify GHG emission and water purification services of wetlands in two major agricultural regions in Canada (Great lakes and the Prairies), with potential of expanding to the North America scale. The project will build on our research in the US (Cheng et al. 2020, Nature), where our team found that targeted wetland restoration in high nutrient input areas can lead to 40 times more nitrogen removal than non-targeted restoration. Adding the GHG component to this framework is a fundamental aspect of the project.

The student will be co-supervised by Dr. Tonya DelSontro (Earth and Environmental Sciences), an expert on GHG emissions from aquatic systems, and Dr. Nandita Basu (Civil and Environmental Engineering & Earth and Environmental Sciences) with expertise in water quality modeling. The project is a part of a large pan-Canadian Project called Solutionscapes: Designing Climate and Water Smart Agricultural Solutions in Complex Working Landscapes that aims to develop pan-Canadian, spatially explicit solution portfolios for agricultural landscapes that will move Canada towards a net-zero GHG future, while also prioritizing water quality and other ecosystem services. Though the project will focus on Canada, the methodologies developed would be transferable to other countries and regions.

The project involves a collaboration between multiple universities (University of Waterloo, University of Guelph, University of British Columbia, McGill University, University of Saskatchewan, Pennsylvania State University), and a range of partners across Canada (Environment and Climate Change Canada, Agriculture and Agri Food Canada, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Conservation Ontario, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, Grand River Conservation Authority, Alternative Land Use Services, Canadian Biogas Association, Canadian Water Network).

Applicants are expected to hold a masters degree in related science or engineering fields (undergraduate degree would be considered for exceptional candidates). Previous experience in geospatial tools (e.g., GIS, Python) and coding platforms (Matlab, R) would be beneficial, though not required. We embrace equity, diversity and inclusion and seek lab members who can contribute to a welcoming, engaging environment for students and researchers of all genders, races, abilities, and backgrounds.

*Application Procedure:* For further information and to apply, send a CV, transcripts, and a page describing your interests and background to Laura Klein (l3klein@uwaterloo.ca, cc nandita.basu@uwaterloo.ca; tonya.delsontro@uwaterloo.ca) by December 15, 2022. Position will remain open until filled.

Summer Job Opportunity: Science 101 Outreach Coordinator - UBC

The Science 101 program, together with the Office of the Dean of Science, is pleased to announce the availability of two or three part-time Program Coordinator positions for graduate students or senior undergraduate students. 

These are administrative positions that will work alongside other coordinators.

Science 101 is a four-month (May-August), non-credit, barrier-free course offered on the UBC Vancouver campus to residents of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside and other inner-city communities.  It provides introductory science education in physics, astronomy, chemistry, computer science, earth and ocean science, and biology and is taught by University of British Columbia professors and graduate students.  (For more information please see here.

The Science 101 Program coordinators are responsible, as a team, for managing the weekly Science 101 activities.  Throughout the term the coordinators will plan and attend evening lectures, a weekly evening tutorial, plan field trips and a graduation ceremony.  They ensure that the program is organized, structured, and executed in a timely and organized fashion.  The coordinators all gain valuable program management skills, improve and develop communication skills, and learn how to effectively manage and work with people from diverse communities.

This year, we are looking for two or three hardworking, mature, independent problem solvers to add to our team.  If you have strong communication, interpersonal and organizational skills as well as the ability to exercise tact, discretion and diplomacy and the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines this position may be for you!  Experience with lab work, community outreach, and familiarity with the downtown eastside is an asset.

The program coordinator position requires a commitment of between 10 and 12 hours per week from approximately February 1- August 3, 2023.  Salary to be discussed at time of interview.

To apply for this Science 101 coordinator position, please send your CV, contact information for three references, and a letter outlining your interest in Science 101 to:

Nancy Cook

Academic Project Manager

Faculty of Science, Office of the Dean

#2178, 2207 Main Mall

Email:  cook@science.ubc.ca

Application Deadline – December 16, 2022

Please direct any questions to cook@science.ubc.ca

New Ocean Research Award for Graduate Students - Ocean Networks Canada (ONC)

Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) is offering a new award opportunity to graduate students who are pursuing ocean science research using data gathered from its world-leading ocean observatories.

Up to two graduate students a year will be selected as recipients for the new Roy Hyndman Ocean Observing Award. These $20,000 awards are to help graduate students advance their research using ocean observing data and/or technology, as well as assist in their professional development by providing an opportunity to work with leading ocean technologies and experts.

The 2023 call is now open and graduate students across Canada–and disciplines, spanning engineering, natural and social sciences, as well as the humanities–are invited to apply. The work is not required to be performed at ONC, but award winners are expected to visit in-person at least once for initial coordination of the project. The year-long term will conclude with a final presentation of the results, held virtually or in-person.

The award is named in honour of Dr. Roy Hyndman, one of the leading proponents of the NEPTUNE Observatory who served as the Chair of the Ocean Observatory Council for more than six years, and continues to be a strong advocate for supporting students and faculty who use ONC infrastructure in their research programs.

"Roy has been a steadfast advocate for Ocean Networks Canada since the heydays of our NEPTUNE observatory,” says Benoît Pirenne, ONC Director, User Engagement, “Roy’s continuous support over the years and most recently through his chairmanship of our Observatory Council has been invaluable. We are proud to have his name associated with this award for future graduates who will follow in his footsteps.”

Pirenne says this award will help support future generations of ocean scientists who will play an important role in ocean observing and climate change solutions.

Deadline for applications is 15 January 2023.

Learn more about the selection process, eligibility criteria and fund administration. For more information about the award, contact ue-officer@oceannetworks.ca.

Two postdoc and Three PhD Positions Available for Project: Quantifying the Climate Benefit of Nature-based Solutions in Canada

The Climate Feedback lab at St. Francis Xavier University, the Climate Research lab of Simon Fraser University, and the Climate Scenarios Impacts and Modelling lab of Concordia University, are looking for postdocs and PhD students to work on a new project: Quantifying the climate benefit of nature-based solutions in Canada.

Nature-based solutions to climate change seek to enhance the carbon sequestration potential of natural ecosystems and agricultural systems, while providing co-benefits for biodiversity and food production. However, large-scale alteration of these systems will also induce both physical and biogeochemical changes to the Earth system which may enhance or counteract the climate benefit of carbon sequestration. The goal of this project is to use Earth system models to quantify the efficacy of nature-based solutions on land while taking into account the full climate effects of these solutions.

Positions at St. Francis Xavier University:

  • Postdoc: Improving the representation of soil carbon in Earth system models
  • PhD: Agricultural management practices as a nature-based solution

Contact Dr. Andrew MacDougall (amacdoug@stfx.ca) for details. Lab website.

Positions at Simon Fraser University

  • Postdoc:  Assessing the effects of af/reforestation on the hydrologic cycle
  • PhD: Assessing the climate benefits of af/reforestation

Contact Dr. Kirsten Zickfeld (kzickfel@sfu.ca) for details. Lab Website.

Position at Concordia University

  • PhD: Vulnerability of nature-based carbon storage to natural disturbances

Contact Dr. Damon Matthews (damon.matthews@concordia.ca) for details. Lab Website.

Postdoc positions can begin as early as January 2023. PhD positions are intended to begin in September 2023.

Mentorship Opportunity - Promoting EDI in STEM - UBC

The BUDR (Biology Undergraduate Diversity In Research) program is a newly launched project designed to provide opportunities for undergraduates belonging to underrepresented groups. This program is designed to support students from historically marginalized and disenfranchised backgrounds by providing them with mentorship and paid research opportunities.  The BUDR program is seeking mentors that are passionate about science and interested in promoting equity in the UBC Faculty of Science. Graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty members of any background are eligible to become a BUDR mentor.

BUDR mentors will aim to provide undergraduate students with guidance and insights on career and academic development. This can include providing guidance through graduate school applications, navigating career options in the biological sciences, and educating students about research opportunities (with an opportunity for mentors to promote their research). BUDR aims to promote social and professional interdepartmental connections and facilitate networking opportunities. Through training and optional workshops, mentors will gain communication skills, mentorship skills, and enhance their knowledge of issues and approaches for reducing barriers to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), in line with UBC’s Inclusion Action Plan.

Mentors will typically be expected to take on two students and set aside 4 hours per month to student mentorship. EDI centred training will also be provided to mentors in the form of a 2-hour workshop.

BUDR Mentors will be an essential pillar of support for underrepresented students in our community. Become a part of a team committed to making UBC a more inclusive and welcoming academic space and apply by sending a completed application at here  by December 31st. 

More information can be found at here.

Scientific Data Specialist - Ocean Networks Canada (ONC)

Posting Close Date – 11 January 2023, at 4 p.m.

FTE 1.0

Salary Grade $68,097.00 - $89,370.00

Salary posted reflects full FTE (will be prorated for part time)

Classification SG12

Start Date 1/23/2023. End Date 1/25/2025

Employee Group: PEA - Term

# of Hires Needed 1

Category Computers, Software

Click to Apply.

Full job description.

BCEIA Student Scholarships – Applications Now Being Accepted

Application deadline is March 17, 2023

The BCEIA Student Scholarship Program awards scholarships to one secondary student and one post-secondary student pursuing Environmental Studies. In 2018, the post secondary scholarship was renamed to the Mike Macfarlane Memorial Scholarship in recognition of his important contributions and lifetime of dedication to the field of environmental studies in BC. Similarly, the high school scholarship was renamed to the David Rogers Memorial Scholarship in 2019 to recognize his years of mentorship and dedication to education within the British Columbian environment industry.

Purpose:
To recognize exceptional academic achievement and encourage outstanding students to continue their post-secondary studies.

Eligibility:
Applicants must be residents of British Columbia and either attend or plan to enroll at BC universities, colleges or technical institutes. Please note: An applicant is only eligible to receive the scholarship once – future applications will not be accepted.

Deadline:
Completed scholarship applications must be received via email to scholarship@bceia.com by March 17, 2023. Scholarships will be awarded in May 2023.

Entry Requirements:

Graduate Studies in Earth Sciences - University of Toronto

We are accepting applications! MSc & PhD Programs in:

  • petrology and Earth materials
  • geophysics and tectonics
  • biogeosciences
  • environmental sciences
  • paleoceanography/paleoclimatology
  • Earth surface processes
  • geoscience pedagogy

For applications, please click here.