Research opportunities
Interested in studying freshwater ecosystems? See below for current open positions in different labs.
MSc research project
MicroGeoNx: characterize deep geological bodies using DNA belonging to endolithic microbial communities
PI: Cassandre Lazar (UQAM)
A Master’s research project is available at the Department of Biological Sciences, University ofQuebec in Montreal (UQAM), within the laboratory of Cassandre Lazar. This project will be carried out in partnership with the companies Derena Geosciences, Midland Exploration, Raglan Mine(Glencore), Nouveau Monde Graphite and Utica Drilling Resources.
In the underground layers of the earth (100 m to 3 km below our feet), microbes can live buried incompact rock matrices. The composition of living species in distinct layers is unique and indicative of their environment. In Quebec, a region rich in minerals and gas, the mining industry is booming and looking for innovative methods to explore new sites quickly, efficiently and at low cost. In this
project, we will use genomic profiles of microbial communities living inside rock cores provided by mining companies to analyze the conditions found in these rocks, including mineralogy, age, and
layer succession. We will build a large database in microbial genomics using molecular tools (DNA extraction and amplicon and shotgun sequencing). We will also attempt to extract and sequence
RNA from some samples. Finally, we will culture the endolithic microorganisms of samples from samples drilled and collected during the project.
The successful candidate will benefit from a dynamic work and research environment within the research centers of the Groupe de recherche interuniversitaire en limnologie (GRIL) and the Center for Research in Earth System Dynamics (GEOTOP), two strategic groups of the FRQNT (Quebec Research Fund - Nature and technologies).
The successful candidate should ideally have an undergraduate degree in biology, microbiology, or environmental sciences, will be able to demonstrate research potential, and will show a keen
interest in microbial ecology and biogeochemistry. Experience in the fields of microbiology, molecular biology, statistical analysis, and bioinformatics will be considered an asset.
The start date is April 2024. Interested applicants should send a cover letter (1-page maximum),
and a C.V., to:
Cassandre Lazar, Assistant Professor
Département des Sciences Biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM)
Email: lazar.cassandre@uqam.ca
Tel: 514-987-3000 ext. 3963
Postdoctoral research project
MicroGeoNx: a new approach to characterize deep geological bodies using DNA belonging to endolithic microbial communities
PI: Cassandre Lazar (UQAM)
A postdoctoral research project is available at the Department of Biological Sciences, University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM), within the laboratory of Cassandre Lazar. This project will be
carried out in partnership with the companies Derena Geosciences, Midland Exploration, Raglan Mine (Glencore), Nouveau Monde Graphite and Utica Drilling Resources.
In the underground layers of the earth (100 m to 3 km below our feet), microbes can live buried in compact rock matrices. The composition of living species in distinct layers is unique and indicative of their environment. In Quebec, a region rich in minerals and gas, the mining industry
is booming and looking for innovative methods to explore new sites quickly, efficiently and at low cost. In this project, we will use genomic profiles of microbial communities living inside rock cores
provided by mining companies to analyze the conditions found in these rocks, including mineralogy, age, and layer succession. We will build a large database in microbial genomics using
molecular tools (DNA extraction and amplicon and shotgun sequencing). We will also attempt to extract and sequence RNA from some samples. Finally, we will culture the endolithic microorganisms of samples from samples drilled and collected during the project.
The successful candidate will benefit from a dynamic work and research environment within theresearch centers of GRIL (Interuniversity Research Group in Limnology) and Geotop (Center for
Research in Earth System Dynamics), two strategic groups of the FRQNT (Quebec Research Fund -Nature and technologies).
The successful candidate should ideally have a doctorate in microbial ecology, microbiology, orenvironm ental sciences, will be able to demonstrate research potential, and will show a keen
interest in microbial ecology and biogeochemistry. Experience in the fields of microbiology, molecular biology, statistical analysis, and bioinformatics will be considered an asset.
The start date is April 2024, and the project will last 2 years. The interested applicant is
requested to send a motivation letter (1 page maximum) describing his/her academic background
and research interests, and a CV to:
Cassandre Lazar, Associate Professor
Department of Biological Sciences, UQAM
lazar.cassandre@uqam.ca
PhD Position in aquatic ecotoxicology: Relative toxicity of metals from different classes in the freshwater crustracean Daphnia magna : modelling, interactions and subcellular targets
PIs: Maikel Rosabal (UQAM),
Isabelle Lavoie (INRS) and Claude Fortin (INRS)
Summary
Modelling the relative toxicity of metals based on the relationship between their chemical structure and their biological activity is an excellent way to estimate the toxicity of metals, specifically those for which toxicological information remains insufficient or even nonexistent. This is the case of various critical metals for the ecological transition urgently needed to face current environmental challenges, which are not under environmental regulation. To contribute to the development of such predictive tools, this PhD project has the goal to generate a body of knowledge on the subchronic toxicity, the type of interactions and the toxic behavior (at the subcellular and molecular level) of a series of contaminants encompassing class A (La, Ce, U), B (Ag, Cu, Pd) and borderline (Ni, Co) metals in the freshwater crustacean Daphnia magna to relate their chemical characteristics with the observed toxic behavior.
This project applies innovative approaches in toxicology, environmental modelling, metallomics, such as subcellular metal partitioning approach and hyphenated techniques (e.g., SEC-ICP-QQQ; RP-HPLC ICP-QQQ). The candidate will have access to cutting edge analytical platforms located in both universities. This research will contribute to the development of a thorough and rigorous understanding of metal toxicity necessary to anticipate metal impact on aquatic ecosystems. All the results expected in this project
have the potential to accelerate the establishment of predictive tools in the environmental regulation of emerging contaminants.
Requirements
- Meet the eligibility requirements for the PhD in Biology research program offered by UQAM.
- Background and skills in environmental chemistry, biochemistry,
biology, toxicology, analytical chemistry or other related fields
- Good skills in laboratory work
- Strong interest in scientific research and environmental toxicity
- Knowledge of spoken and written French and/or English
Funding: PhD scholarship offer for 4 years.
Applicants must send:
-An updated CV (pdf format), including project and academic works in preparation
-Unofficial academic transcripts (BSc, MSc)
-A description of research interests and relevant experience for the position.
-Recommendation letters or contact information from 2 potential references
Closing date for applications: 1 June 2023 (preferred)
Once all applications have been received, the selection process will begin and will
continue until the position is filled.
Contact: Maikel Rosabal
Start date: September 2023 (but negotiable)
PhD Position in aquatic ecotoxicology
PI: Maikel Rosabal
This project applies approaches related to environmental
proteomic and metallomics, such as subcellular metal
partitioning approach and hyphenated techniques (e.g., SEC-ICP-QQQ; RP-HPLC ICPQQQ). The candidate will have access to advanced analytical platforms located in both
universities. This research will reveal information about the molecular and subcellular
mechanisms by which trace metals interact and exert deleterious effects, and will identify
potential biomarkers of toxicity or exposure of metal mixtures. All these results will
greatly contribute to the development of more reliable and realistic models to predict the
potential effects of trace elements in aquatic systems.
More information can be found here: here
Start date: Fall 2022
Aquatic Carbon Biogeochemistry of Boreal Aquatic Ecosystems
PI: Prof Paul del Giorgio (UQAM)
Several graduate assistantships are available to carry out Master’s or Ph.D. theses in the Aquatic Ecology Group of the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM). The projects will be associated with the NSERC-funded Chair in Carbon Biogeochemistry of Boreal Aquatic Systems (CarBBAS). The research projects may focus on a wide range of issues related to C biogeochemistry and greenhouse gas dynamics in northern aquatic ecosystems, including lake and river organic carbon dynamics and processing, greenhouse gas dynamics, and ecosystem metabolism; links between aquatic and terrestrial C biogeochemistry and ecosystem function; the role of aquatic ecosystems on regional carbon budgets; greenhouse gas dynamics in hydroelectric reservoirs and the C footprint of hydroelectric power generation. The projects will likely involve a combination of approaches, including in situ point and continuous gas measurements, chemical and physical measurements, optical, isotopic and chemical characterization of organic matter, a wide range of process measurements, GIS and landscape modeling measurements, and molecular microbial techniques. The research favors an integrative, network scale perspective of inland waters across the boreal biome of Québec, but comparative work in temperate and subarctic systems in Québec and elsewhere will also be carried out.
The candidate will join the highly dynamic, diverse and multidisciplinary team of the NSERC-funded Industrial Research Chair in Carbon Biogeochemistry of Boreal Aquatic Systems (CarBBAS), which in turn is part of an aquatic group in the Département des sciences biologiques of the UQAM, with collective expertise in nutrient and C biogeochemistry, ecosystem and landscape modeling, population, community and ecosystem ecology, genomics and molecular ecology. The UQAM is a francophone university, but English is the working language in the group and our students can choose to take courses in our sister universities and can submit their theses in English. Interested students should send a letter of introduction, academic resume, and the names of two references, to Paul del Giorgio, del_giorgio.paul@uqam.ca, (514-795-7983). E-mail enquiries and applications are welcome.
Start date: Variable