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NEW!
POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW, (L3-PDF 1), ECOSYSTEM SERVICES AND AGRICULTURAL DRAINAGE IN THE PRAIRIES University of Saskatchewan Salary: $45,000/year + benefits
Duration: 2 years Start Date: early 2020 (negotiable) Location: University of Saskatchewan Supervisors: Dr. Helen Baulch, University of Saskatchewan and Dr. Phil Loring, University of Guelph Description: We are seeking a talented Postdoctoral Fellow to lead integrative work on modelling ecosystem services in the Canadian Prairies. This work is aimed at creating simulations of the responses of varied ecosystem services to changing wetland coverage and climate. The successful candidate will work across ResNET and Global Water Futures researchers to integrate ecosystem services into existing hydrological modelling tools (virtual basins), supported by a strong cohort of collaborating hydrological modellers, biogeochemists, and ecologists engaged in work on biodiversity, nutrient cycling and transport, carbon storage, GHG release, and water-related risks. This position is funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Strategic Partnership Grants for Networks. The PDF will join the team of the newly funded NSERC ResNet: A network for monitoring, modeling, and managing Canada’s ecosystem services for sustainability and resilience and work within the Global Institute for Water Security, linking closely with Global Water Futures researchers, and partners. This position is for 2 years, and will be based out the University of Saskatchewan. Expected outcomes include:
The ideal candidate would have either hydrological modelling experience or some background in hydrology, experience working with multi-stakeholders and multiple ecosystem services, as well as experience working in an interdisciplinary team on complex water issues. To apply, please send a cover letter describing your research background, interests, and qualifications; two example publications demonstrating your relevant research experience; plus, a complete curriculum vitae and contact information for at least two references to sminnes@uoguelph.ca. Application Deadline: February 10, 2019. Any applications received after the deadline will only be considered if the position is not filled. Only short-listed candidates will be notified. PhD STUDENT (S1-PhD1), UNDERSTANDING ECOSYSTEM SERVICE INDICATORS
McGill’s Macdonald Campus Start Date: Fall 2020
Salary: $21,000/year + possibility of additional scholarships Duration: 4 years Location: Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill’s Macdonald Campus Supervisors: Dr. Elena Bennett and Dr. Murray Humphries Description: Working with the synthesis team, and with co-supervision by Dr. Humphries and Dr. Bennett, this student will investigate indicators used to monitor ecosystem services at a variety of scales across Canada and around the world, with special attention on interactions, both among services (trade-offs or compatibilities) and places (that produce, use, and trade these services). This PhD student, working with the support of the project data manager, and in conjunction with all Theme and Landscape Leads, will develop a scientific framework for multi-scale ecosystem service data collection and analysis. This fundamental step will ensure that care is taken to measure services across project landscapes in a comparable manner that can scale up to a national observatory. Research shows (i) a remarkable variability in the way ecosystem services are conceived and measured, including a significant gap between economic and ecological communities, (ii) that changing the scale at which ES are quantified alters our understanding of their impacts and outcomes, and (iii) the proxies used to quantify ecosystem service are often too coarse or too indirect to fully support evidence-based policy. Devising an observatory that aims to be functional for both landscape- and national-scale decision-making must consider comparability, measurability, and scale. Ideal Qualifications: We seek a candidate with an MSc degree that focused on ecosystem service measurement or similar, with experience working across multiple scales, and as part of large projects. Familiarity with Canada's varied landscapes and ecosystem services would be an asset, as would an ability to work with or build ecosystem service models. A good publication record will indicate capacity to write the high level papers we anticipate will be the outcome of this PhD. To Apply: To apply, send a cover letter describing your background and fit to the position, along with a CV, and list of references to the ResNet Deputy Scientific Director, Klara.winkler@mcgill.ca. As we have multiple positions open, please explicitly state the position for which you are applying. References will only be contacted for short-listed candidates. NEW!
RESEARCH ASSOCIATE (S1-RA1), BUILDING AN ECOSYSTEM SERVICE DASHBOARD FOR CANADA McGill’s Macdonald Campus Start Date: As soon as possible
Salary: $51,000-$58,000, commensurate with experience, Duration: 5 years Location: Based at McGill’s Macdonald Campus Supervisors: Dr. Elena Bennett and Dr. Andy Gonzalez Project info: http://www.nsercresnet.ca Description: This 5-year research position that will work across all landscapes and themes of the project to build and road-test a prototype dashboard for monitoring ecosystem services across Canada using machine learning alongside inductive modeling. We will start by developing a prototype dashboard for monitoring ecosystem services at multiple scales. The successful applicant will use generalized models of ecosystem service networks built by the ResNet project team (theme 3), incorporate predictions arising from models of ecosystem service supply and demand (theme 2), and data and other knowledge from across the project’s target landscapes (landscapes 1-6), including decision-space maps (theme 1). This level of integration will ensure that the platform has applicability to decisions made in Canada’s working landscapes. The aim is to ensure that we account for not only production of or demand for ecosystem services, but include flows from one landscape to another that are often ignored in ES decision-making. Ultimately, the platform will enable Canada to incorporate data and model-based projections from ongoing monitoring systems for ecological and social-ecological change into its national accounting system for ecosystem services. The platform will be the source of information needed to enable better decision-making for ecosystem services in and across Canadian working landscapes. For more information on the project, please visit http://www.nsercresnet.ca. Ideal Qualifications: We seek a candidate with a PhD with experience in dashboard development and programming, ecological modeling and ecosystem services, or a related field. Necessarily skills include top-notch inductive modelling skills, machine-learning, excellent capacity for synthesis, good people and communications skills to work across the entire project. High level programming skills needed to build a prototype user interface for the dashboard will be valuable. We will seek a 5-year commitment to this critical synthesis position. Application Procedure: To apply, send a cover letter describing your background and fit to the position, along with a CV, and list of references to elena.bennett@mcgill.ca. As we have multiple positions open, please explicitly state the position for which you are applying. References will only be contacted for short-listed candidates. Application deadline: Open until filled. Only short-listed candidates will be notified. OFFRE DE DOCTORAT DANS LE DOMAINE DE LA CONSERVATION DES SERVICES ÉCOLOGIQUES ET DE L'AMÉNAGEMENT DU PAYSAGE (L2-PhD1)
Département de phytologie, Université Laval, Québec, Canada Début: Janvier, mai ou septembre 2020 Salaire: $20 000/année + possibilité de recevoir un total de $16 000 du Fonds de soutien à la réussite si les objectifs sont atteints à temps Durée: 4 ans Emplacement: Université Laval, ville de Québec Direction de recherche: Dre Monique Poulin (U Laval), Dre Stéphanie Pellerin (U de Montréal), Dr Jérôme Cimon-Morin (Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs, Québec). Objectifs: Nous sommes à la recherche d’une candidate ou d’un candidat d’exception afin de mener un doctorat au sujet de la conservation des services écologiques (SÉ) et de l’aménagement du paysage. Le projet sera réalisé dans des tourbières et des forêts de la région de la Côte-Nord, qui seront utilisées comme systèmes modèles afin de développer nos connaissances sur les meilleures stratégies à adopter pour une gestion durable des paysages dominés par l’Homme au Québec. Nous aborderons la question générale à savoir comment identifier les priorités en conservation et en restauration sans nuire au développement économique. Contexte de recherche: La région de la Côte-Nord étant dominée par la forêt et les milieux humides, les piliers économiques y sont les industries du bois et de la tourbe. Cette dernière est dépendante d’une tourbe de qualité, qui se trouve être un substrat de croissance pratiquement irremplaçable en horticulture. Cette industrie a développé des critères de base pour sélectionner des sites de récolte qui sont en accord avec des préoccupations socio-environnementales, telles que l’acceptabilité sociale et la rareté d’habitats spécifiques, mais elle manque encore d’outils pour intégrer plusieurs SÉ dans sa prise de décisions. L’industrie de la tourbe a également besoin de méthodes fiables pour aborder le compromis entre conservation et développement et réduire au minimum son empreinte environnementale dans la région. L’industrie forestière, elle, dépend des stocks de bois ainsi que de la capacité des forêts à se régénérer après récolte. Les forêts naturelles jouent non seulement un rôle crucial dans la régulation du climat en stockant le carbone dans la biomasse vivante, mais elles contribuent également à réduire l’albédo de surface et donc l’augmentation des températures, en absorbant une large part du rayonnement solaire. L’étude du compromis entre stockage de carbone et réduction de l’albédo après plantation aiderait la prise de décision au sein de l’industrie, particulièrement pour les forêts boréales. Approche: Premièrement, nous comparerons deux approches de modélisation pour prioriser les sites de conservation: l’approche par point chaud (hot spot), basée sur la concordance spatiale des SÉ, et la Planification systématique de la conservation, qui repose plutôt sur la complémentarité des sites. Nous estimerons les coûts (aire et nombre de sites sélectionnés dans les réseaux de conservation et pertes associées en potentiel d’extraction de ressources) et les bénéfices (atteinte des cibles de conservation) pour les deux approches. Deuxièmement, nous mesurerons les ratios coûts/bénéfices de plantations à la suite de la récolte de bois. Des scénarios de plantation seront évalués pour des espèces de conifères à feuilles persistantes (Picea glauca), de conifères décidus (Larix laricina), et de décidus à feuilles larges (Betula alleghaniensis), notamment en tenant compte de leur effet sur l’albédo et la régulation du climat. Troisièmement, nous évaluerons le coût associé aux délais dans la planification de la conservation des SÉ sous différents scénarios de développement industriel futur. Les procédures de sélection de sites et d’aménagement du paysage seront réalisées avec des programmes tels que Marxan, Woodstock et Landis. Profil: Les personnes désirant soumettre leur candidature doivent détenir une maîtrise dans le domaine de l’écologie, de la biologie, de l’environnement, de la géographie, des ressources naturelles ou dans un domaine connexe et avoir de bonnes connaissances ou un intérêt pour la conservation, notamment en ce qui a trait aux aspects des SÉ et de la planification systématique. Une expérience en publication scientifique serait un grand atout. Le candidat ou la candidate doit posséder de bonnes aptitudes en gestion de données, en SIG et en rédaction scientifique, en plus d’avoir une bonne capacité à collaborer avec les membres de l’équipe et les partenaires. Pour soumettre une candidature: Merci d’envoyer une lettre de motivation décrivant votre expérience en recherche, vos intérêts et vos qualifications, ainsi qu’un CV et le contact d’au moins trois références à monique.poulin@fsaa.ulaval.ca. Date limite pour les soumissions: L’offre reste ouverte jusqu’à ce qu’elle soit comblée. Seules les personnes retenues seront contactées. POST-DOCTORAL FELLOW (T3-PDF1), MONITORING CHANGE IN SPATIAL ECOSYSTEM SERVICE NETWORKS
McGill University .Start Date: As soon as possible
Salary: $50,000 per annum + benefits Duration: 2 years Location: McGill University Supervisors: Dr. Andrew Gonzalez (McGill) and Dr. Marie-Josée Fortin (Toronto) We are seeking an exceptional postdoctoral researcher to conduct research on the problem of identifying and monitoring change in spatial networks of biodiversity and ecosystem service (ES) supply. The PDF will develop appropriate quantitative methods and apply them to a selection of Canadian resource use landscapes. The specific research objectives are (i) using existing data to identify spatial ES networks in our six partner landscapes, (ii) the identification of statistically robust network indicators for trend detection in the supply and connectivity of ES, and (iii) to develop methods that support decisions for the allocation of resources to monitor ES across space (and time) in order to maximize the information obtained from the ES monitoring networks in each landscape. The PDF will employ methods for ecosystem service network monitoring, which draw upon a powerful suite of tools for identifying the connectivity of the ES network, and for ranking the importance of the nodes and links to the dynamical state of network. This postdoc is part of a larger NSERC Strategic Network, ResNet, an exciting new research network with the ambitious goal of providing scientific knowledge for the management of ecosystem services to enable more resilient resource management in Canada’s working landscapes and so ensure a prosperous and sustainable future for Canadians. NSERC ResNet brings together 26 co-applicants from 11 universities, 30 collaborators, and 17 partner organizations to address important questions about the management and future of Canada’s working landscapes and the critical ecosystem services they provide. This postdoc will be part of Theme 3, which will provide knowledge used by themes 1 and 2, and the partner landscapes, to make reliable inferences and predictions about the sustainability of ES provision into the future. Essential Duties: The primary responsibilities of the successful candidate will be to conduct innovative research and outreach in collaboration with a diverse group of university scientists as well as their industry and government partners. The postdoc will co-lead a series of data collection workshops in different landscapes across Canada. The specific duties of the position will include model development and simulation; data collection; stakeholder discussions; report writing; workshop organization and the preparation of manuscripts in collaboration with the supervisors. The successful candidate will also be responsible for training graduate students and contributing to the development of competitive research grants as needed. Applicants must have completed a Ph.D. in a relevant discipline within the last three years and have primary publications in refereed, English language journals. We are seeking fluency in written and spoken English, the ability to work cooperatively with the supervisors, and strong communication and organizational skills. The ideal candidate will have expertise in numerical ecology, network methods, ecoinformatics, biodiversity and ecosystem service science, and a desire to develop novel methods in the monitoring of ecological change. We value creative and autonomous thinkers used to working in an interdisciplinary setting. National and international travel will be required. To apply, please send a cover letter describing your research background, interests, and qualifications; two example publications demonstrating your relevant research experience; plus, a complete curriculum vitae and contact information for at least two references to andrew.gonzalez@mcgill.ca and mariejosee.fortin@utoronto.ca. Application deadline: Open until filled. Only short-listed candidates will be notified. |
NEW!
PhD AND MA POSITIONS AVAILABLE IN ECOSYSTEM SERVICES AND AGRICULTURAL DRAINAGE IN THE PRAIRIES University of Guelph PhD (L3-PhD1) Position Specific Information
Salary: Salary will be commensurate with experience Duration: 4 years Start Date: September 8, 2020 Location: Based out of the University of Guelph Supervisors: Dr. Phil Loring, University of Guelph and Dr. Helen Baulch, University of Saskatchewan MA (L3-MA1) Position Specific Information Salary: Salary will be commensurate with experience Duration: 2 years Ideal Start Date: September 7, 2021, however, the start date is flexible depending on the academic timelines of the candidate. Location: Based out of the University of Guelph Supervisors: Dr. Phil Loring, University of Guelph and Dr. Helen Baulch, University of Saskatchewan Description: We are seeking one Doctoral student and one Masters student to help conduct integrative work on modelling ecosystem services in the Canadian Prairies. This work is aimed at simulating responses of varied ecosystem services to changing wetland coverage and climate. The main role of these positions will be to undertake work on ecosystem services scenario development grounded in virtual basin modelling, crossing over into work on scenario pathways and policy options. The successful candidates will work across ResNET and Global Water Futures researchers to integrate ecosystem services into existing hydrological modelling tools (virtual basins), supported by a strong cohort of collaborating hydrological modelers, biogeochemists, and ecologists engaged in work on biodiversity, nutrient cycling and transport, carbon storage, GHG release, and water-related risks. This position is funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Strategic Partnership Grants for Networks. The successful candidates will join the team of the newly funded NSERC ResNet: A network for monitoring, modeling, and managing Canada’s ecosystem services for sustainability and resilience. There will also be collaborative work with colleagues within the Arrell Food Institute at the University of Guelph, and with Global Water Futures researchers, and partners at the University of Saskatchewan. Duties could include a combination of the following depending on the interests and skill set of the candidates:
Applicants must have completed a master’s degree (for the PhD position) or an undergraduate degree (for the MA position) in the field of Anthropology, Ecology, Biology, Geography, Natural Resources, or a related field and have good knowledge or interest in agent-based modelling and/or multicriteria based decision making analysis. Experience with scientific publications would be a great advantage. We require strong numeric abilities (particularly for the PhD position), fluency in written and spoken English, the ability to work cooperatively with supervisors and collaborators, and strong communication and organizational skills. The ideal candidates would have either hydrological modelling experience or some background in hydrology, and experience and/or interest in working with multi-stakeholders and an interdisciplinary team on complex water issues. Application Procedure To apply please send a cover letter describing your research background, interests, and qualifications; plus a curriculum vitae and contact information for at least three references to Philip Loring (phil.loring@uoguelph.ca). Application Deadline: February 10, 2020. Any applications received after the deadline will only be considered if the position is not filled. Only short-listed candidates will be notified. TWO MASTERS OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES POSITIONS
Dalhousie University I am co-leading the Atlantic landscape node of NSERC ResNet. This case study landscape is the Bay of Fundy dykeland system, which has largely replaced its salt marshes with drained agricultural land starting with French settlement in the 1600s (read more here: https://bit.ly/347bck7). Sea level rise and increasing storm activity means difficult decisions on which dykes should be reinforced for agricultural persistence, which may need to be shortened to reduce infrastructure burdens, and where tidal marsh restoration may be feasible to provide natural protections. The early years of NSERC ResNet will see us exploring ecosystem service delivery from dykelands and marshes, and intermediary states, to inform those decisions.
I am looking for up to two students to begin Masters of Environmental Studies (MES) with me at Dalhousie (https://bit.ly/2D4DUGo) to tackle research on how settlers and Mi’kmaq use and value the drained agricultural land (dykelands) and the salt marshes they replaced (and to which sections will return if abandoned or realigned). Opportunities for students as part of NSERC ResNet are many and include additional training opportunities as well as national and international internships and networking. Candidates should be socially curious, ideally trained in social science fields (e.g. first degrees in Geography, Environmental Studies, Sociology, Anthropology, Planning) and interested in methods such as quantitative surveys and/or semi-structured interviews. Canadians and permanent residents in Canada will be given preference, but we are extremely keen to hear from students who identify as belonging to equity-seeking groups (This helps clarify what that means to Dalhousie:https://cdn.dal.ca/content/dam/dalhousie/pdf/dept/hres/Self-ID-prospective-employees-2017.pdf. Aboriginal students are particularly encouraged to apply. Please contact me to express interest (have a look here first: http://katesherren.org/how-to-express-interest-in-working-with-me/), and be prepared to provide a c.v., unofficial transcripts, and evidence of English competency and skill. NEW!
PhD STUDENT (S1-PhD2), DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING OF SCENARIO BUILDING METHODS McGill’s Macdonald Campus Start Date: Fall 2020
Salary: $21,000/year + possibility of additional scholarships Duration: 4 years Location: Based at McGill’s Macdonald Campus Supervisors: Dr. Elena Bennett and Dr. Gordon Hickey Description: Working with the Synthesis team with co-supervision by Dr. Elena Bennett and Dr. Gordon Hickey, this student will create, and test, ecosystem service scenario development methods (qualitative and quantitative), in a series of six landscapes across Canada. Scenarios are an important tool in environmental projects, helping scientists and stakeholders envision the variety of possible futures. And how these scenarios are developed, and with whom, can have a critical impact on learning and other outcomes. The PhD project could also involve investigations into the process of building quantitative models to accompany qualitative scenarios, the importance of scale in scenario building, foresight analysis, and the role of scenarios in management decisions of multiple stakeholders. Ideal Qualifications: We seek a candidate with an MSc degree that focused on ecosystem services or scenario development, who is comfortable working with a wide variety of academic and non-academic partners as part of a large project. Strong facilitation skills, excellent capacity for organization, and attention to detail are a plus. A strong publication record will indicate capacity to write the high level papers we anticipate will be the outcome of this PhD. To Apply: To apply, send a cover letter describing your background and fit to the position, along with a CV, and list of references to the ResNet Deputy Scientific Director, Klara.winkler@mcgill.ca. As we have multiple positions open, please explicitly state the position for which you are applying. References will only be contacted for short-listed candidates. POST-DOCTORAL FELLOW (T2-PDF1), MODELING ECOSYSTEM SERVICES ACROSS CANADA
McGill University Start Date: As soon as possible
Salary: $50,000 per annum + benefits Duration: 2 years Location: McGill University, Montreal, Canada Supervisors: Dr. Brian Robinson (McGill) and Dr. Lael Parrott (UBC-Okanagan) Description: This is an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated quantitative geographer or interdisciplinary scientist to join a dynamic research consortium and contribute to innovative research through developing next-generation ecosystem service models that integrate nature and people. The PDF will source available data and develop appropriate quantitative methods in developing these models. The research program involves a consortium of leading universities across Canada working with local government and civil society partners to address real-world issues in 6 working landscapes, and is highly interdisciplinary. We will use methods and tools from a range of disciplines to model the impacts of policy scenarios on changes in ecosystem services and the resulting benefits to people. The position will be based at McGill’s Department of Geography and be co-supervised by Drs. Robinson and Parrott. The successful PDF will benefit from opportunities to collaborate with world-class investigators in Canada and our partner institutions, attend technical workshops and team meetings, and contribute to local policy debates in our sample of working landscape. The successful candidate must have an exceptional aptitude for analytical and critical thinking about scientific problems, data, and analytical methods; strong written and oral communication capabilities; motivation for problem solving; aptitude for interdisciplinary research and teamwork; and ability to work and learn independently. For postdoctoral appointees, there will be scope for the post holder to transition from mentored research to an independent research agenda. Ideal Qualifications: - PhD in quantitative geography or similar, with applied computer programming experience. - Technical competence in spatial science, data science, and applications to geographic information systems - Familiarity with data sources that could characterize the supply of ecosystem services and community beneficiaries that use ecosystem services - Track record of technical and scholarly excellence as demonstrated through publications, methods development, and applications - Background in ecosystem services - Superior data management and organizational skills - Some familiarity with machine/deep learning is a plus Main Duties 1. To apply existing methods or developing new ones for characterizing ecosystem services at the landscape scale 2. To implement and test algorithms and models 3. To report and discuss the inputs, methods, and results of the analyses to audiences in different fields and disciplines 4. To take initiatives in the planning of research 5. To participate in reports for publication in peer-reviewed journals, conferences and submission to research sponsors 6. To attend research group meetings and other relevant meetings 7. To attend relevant workshops and conferences as necessary 8. Any other duties commensurate with the grade of the post as directed by supervisor Application procedure Application details: Interested candidates should email brian.e.robinson@mcgill.ca and lael.parrott@ubc.ca (with subject: ES modelling Postdoc) with a single PDF containing (in order): 1. A cover letter describing your research background, interests, and qualifications, 2. A full curriculum vitae, 3. Contact information for at least 2 references, and 4. One or two sample publications. Review of applications will begin on November 11, 2019. Competitive candidates will begin to be contacted shortly thereafter, with review ongoing until a suitable candidate is found. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. We welcome applications from indigenous peoples, visible minorities, ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, women, persons of minority sexual orientations and gender. MSc STUDENT (L1-MSc3), POLLINATION SERVICES TO CROPLAND
Saint Mary's University Start date: January 1 preferred, May 1 possible
Location: Based at Saint Mary's University, Halifax, Nova Scotia Description: The MSc student will quantify the value of pollination in crops adjacent to dykelands and salt marshes using a pollinator exclusion experiment. The student will also conduct visitation surveys in croplands to determine abundance, composition and diversity of pollinator species visiting crops. Field work will be carried out in Nova Scotia's Annapolis valley. Crops studied may include apple, pumpkin or soybean. We seek someone with an honours BSc degree in Biology, Environmental Science or Physical Geography. Experience working with pollinators and/or identifying insects is an asset. This project will be co-supervised by Dr. Jeremy Lundholm and Dr. Alana Pindar at Saint Mary's University. If interested, please contact jlundholm@smu.ca. |
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