PREVIOUS POSTINGS
PhD Position in aquatic eco-evolution
Lake ecosystem restoration: a large-scale field experiment of eco-evolutionary dynamics
PI: Alison Derry (UQAM)
Current ecosystem impact assessment and restoration practices are based on ecology, and they do not integrate evolutionary principles for understanding the interplay between ecology and evolution that could be important for the outcome of ecosystem restoration projects in nature. We will capitalise on an unprecedented opportunity of replicated, whole-lake ecosystem evolutionary manipulations in Alaska (USA).
We invite applications for a PhD project opportunity that will quantify the extent to which evolutionary processes impact lake ecology during ecosystem restoration by evaluating the effects of evolutionarily divergent fish introductions on aquatic biodiversity and lake ecosystem processes. The successful PhD candidate will be based in Montréal at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), and will collaborate with researchers at McGill University, as well as with international collaborators. Interested candidates should have a MSc diploma in biology or in a relevant discipline, with interests and experience in field ecology, aquatic ecology, evolutionary biology, and statistical analyses. We believe that our research group will produce better science if it includes a diversity of perspectives. We encourage anyone with an interest in the project to apply, especially from groups that are traditionally under-represented. The successful applicant will be fully funded for the four year duration of their program.
To apply, please send your CV, a motivation letter and your transcript to Alison Derry.
We will consider all applications until the position is filled (at latest by May 2024).
MSc or PhD position: Predicting microbial community dynamics in subsurface aquifer ecosystems
PI: Cassandre Lazar (UQAM) and Frédéric Guichard (McGill)
Microbial communities are dynamic ecosystems, constantly shifting in terms of diversity, structure and function, as a response to environmental fluctuations and to species interactions. However, we still lack a good understanding of how key functions of microbial ecosystem are maintained under such fluctuations. We are inviting applications from students interested in combining ecological models with sequence data from microbial DNA in aquifer systems to predict microbial community dynamics in fluctuating environmental conditions.
Aquifers are composed of groundwater flowing through particles and rocks, containing a vast diversity of microbial populations either living in the water, or attached to the rock surfaces. As water seeps from the surface (originating from rainfall or snowmelt), it brings new microbes and nutrients with it to the underground layers. Thus, aquifer ecosystems are faced with fluctuating water, nutrient, carbon and oxygen availability, and impacted by changing physico-chemical, geochemical and geological conditions. These fluctuations impact microbial community dynamics by shaping networks of microbial species interactions whether they are positive (mutualism), or negative (competition, predation, parasitism). The research will involve combining sequence data already obtained from microbial DNA in aquifer systems in Quebec with dynamic models of microbial species interactions including facilitation and competition for resources. The goal will be to predict dynamic relationships between aquifer microbial community structure and ecosystem functions under fluctuating environments.
The successful candidate will be co-supervised by prof. Cassandre Lazar (Université du Québec à Montréal) and prof. Frederic Guichard (McGill University) and benefit from a stimulating research and training environment at both institutions located downtown Montreal. We encourage applications at the MSc level but students interested in a PhD are also welcome to apply. We also encourage applications from candidate eligible for funding from major external fellowship programs.
Please submit you application including your CV, a statement of research interests, and the contact information of 3 references to:
Cassandre Lazar : lazar.cassandre@uqam.ca, and
Frédéric Guichard: fred.guichard@mcgill.ca
Post-doctoral fellowship: Modelling of GHG emissions from Canadian lakes and reservoirs
PI: Yves Prairie (UQAM)
We are seeking applications for post-doctoral candidates to take part in a project in collaboration with Environment and Climate Change Canada assessing GHG emissions from Canadian lakes and reservoirs using a variety of approaches. Candidates should have a solid background in carbon biogeochemistry as well as in modelling (both statistical and dynamic modelling). It will also involve coordinating field campaigns in selected systems across the country.
The position is fully funded for at least two years. Applications (CV, motivation letter and names of two referees) should be sent to Yves Prairie. More information about our aquatic group at UQAM can be found at here.
Start date: Spring 2022
Field Research Coordinator (Research support position) in the CarBBAS Chair (Carbon Biogeochemistry of Boreal Aquatic Systems)
PI: Paul del Giorgio (UQAM)
The NSERC / HQ-funded Research Chair in Carbon Biogeochemistry in Boreal Aquatic Systems (CarBBAS) at the Université du Québec à Montréal seeks a full-time Field Research Coordinator. The research program of the CarBBAS Chair addresses 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 sampling effort involves the use of boats, helicopters, floatplanes, and other means to access a wide range of sites for the sampling of various types of environments including soils, groundwater, lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. Sampling involves a combination of approaches, including in situ point and continuous gas measurements, chemical and physical measurements, and collection of a range of sample types for subsequent processing and storage for a wide range of ambient properties and processes.
The selected candidate will have the responsibility for the coordination of all field operations of the CarBBAS group, including travel and field logistics, field and laboratory safety procedures, sampling protocols and procedures, coordination of sampling, sample processing and storage, maintenance and operation of field and laboratory instrumentation, and oversight of field data bases. Field work usually involves relatively large (6-8 individuals) groups composed of undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, often in remote areas of Northern Québec, so proven capacity to deal with human resources, team leadership and resourcefulness are definite assets. Additional duties will involve instrument and equipment maintenance and development at the UQAM, management of supplies, chemical analyses, data processing and management, and GIS analyses.
Start date: Winter/ Spring 2022
Qualifications: Candidates should have a BSc or a MSc in relevant areas of environmental sciences, a driver’s licence and a boat operator license approved by Transport Canada, and experience in field and laboratory research, preferably in aquatic / wetland domains. Knowledge of GIS is an asset.
Location: Département des sciences biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, 141 Avenue du Président-Kennedy, Montréal, QC H2X 1Y4
Salary: TBD according to UQAM wage scales
Applications: Interested professionals should send a letter of application together with a CV to Paul del Giorgio (del_giorgio.paul@uqam.ca, 514-795-7983). E-mail enquiries and applications are welcome.
A multiomic analysis of microbial communities colonizing rock surfaces in aquifer systems : diversity, functionality and evolution
PI: Cassandre Lazar (UQAM)
A MSc-level research project is available at the Biological Sciences department, University of
Quebec at Montreal (UQAM) to study the metabolism and genomes of microorganisms that attach and colonize solid surfaces (rocks/particles) in aquifer systems in Quebec. Microbial communities in aquifers are composed of planktonic populations (living in the groundwater), and sessile populations (attached to solid surfaces). These sessile communities are seldom studies, and there exists little information on their diversity, metabolism and role in the ecosystem functioning. This project will rely on the use of bioreactors, which mimic aquifer
systems, by flowing groundwater (collected in the field) on rock chips, in a controlled
atmosphere (pH, temperature and gas concentrations). The objectives of this project are to analyze the metabolic changes occurring in microbes switching to a sessile lifestyle, by
reconstructing their metagenomes, and analyzing the evolution of metaproteins that are
produced during solid surface colonization.
The candidate will receive training in microbial ecology, genomics, proteomics, bioinformatics, and experimental research. The candidate will have the opportunity to go to the field and collect their samples. The candidate will be co-supervised by Prof. Maikel Rosabal (UQAM). The successful candidate will benefit from a dynamic work and research environment in the GRIL, and EcotoQ research groups.
Start date: May 2022
Qualifications: The successful candidate should ideally have a BSc degree in Biology or Environmental Sciences,
will be able to demonstrate research potential, and will show a keen interest in microbial ecology and/or biochemistry. Experience in the fields of microbiology, molecular biology, statistical
analyses, and/or bioinformatics will be considered an asset.
Applications: The interested applicant should send i) a cover letter (1 page
maximum) describing their academic background and research interests, ii) academic transcripts, ii) and a CV to:
Cassandre Lazar, Professeure associée
Département des Sciences Biologiques, UQAM
lazar.cassandre@uqam.ca
Labo Lazar
Closing date for applications : 10th April 2022.
Research intership in biochemistry/microbiology
PI: Cassandre Lazar (UQAM)
A BSc level research project is available at the department of biological sciences at the University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM) to analyze total proteins produced by communities of microorganisms living in aquifer ecosystems. These analyzes are crucial in generating detailed knowledge about the functional genetics of these very little studied microbial communities. This project aims to: (1) optimize the method of extraction and purification of proteins from samples stored in a phenolic phase, (2) determine the minimum concentration required for the analysis of the set of proteins found in
these samples, and (3) identify proteins using a "Bottom-up" proteomics approach.
The internship, of undetermined duration, is available immediately and will be co-supervised
by Prof. Cassandre Lazar (microbial ecologist) and Maikel Rosabal (toxicologist).
Start date: Immediately
Applications: The interested applicant should send i) a cover letter (1 page
maximum) describing their academic background and research interests, ii) academic transcripts, ii) and a CV to:
Cassandre Lazar, Professeure associée
Département des Sciences Biologiques, UQAM
lazar.cassandre@uqam.ca
Labo Lazar
Closing date for applications : February 20th 2022
Postdoctoral Researcher Position in Lake Food Web Ecology
PI: Prof Beatrix Beisner (UQAM) and other GRIL researchers including Dr. Vincent Fugère (UQTR), Dr. Marco Rodriguez (UQTR) and Dr. Katrine Turgeon (UQO).
The FisHab project is looking to fill a new postdoctoral fellow (PDF) position based at the University of Québec at Montréal. The PDF will work towards integration of plankton and fish datasets to analyze multi-trophic diversity and food web structure in several large datasets that are ready to be analyzed. Quantifying natural and anthropogenic drivers of variation in primarily lake fish communities across Québec lakes, including potential effects of climate warming will be the primary focus. The project is developed in collaboration with various non-academic partners (e.g. the environment and wildlife ministries of Québec).
Candidates with strong statistical, numerical analyses and modelling capabilities are sought. Experience with the following techniques would be considered assets: GIS (e.g., watershed delineation), machine learning (e.g., gradient forest analysis, boosted regression trees), community and biodiversity analyses (e.g., joint species distribution modelling), and/or structural equation modelling. Candidates should also have familiarity with lake food web ecology, limnology, biodiversity science, and/or fish ecology.
Anticipated start date: January 1st 2022
Salary: $48 000 to $50 000 CDN plus benefits, for one year with possibility of an extension until June 30th 2023 depending on availability of project funds.
Qualifications: A PhD, earned ideally in the past two years (since 2020).
The ideal candidate will have good working knowledge of French if possible as well as English.
Applications: Send a cover letter, a recent CV and contact information for at least two referees to Dr. Beatrix Beisner, Department of Biological Sciences, UQAM via email (beisner.beatrix@uqam.ca).
Closing date: Applications will be reviewed during the month of November 2021.
Subcellular handling strategies of trace metals (Hg, As, Se, Pb, Cd, La, Ce) in fish near Rouyn-Noranda (Québec, Canada) and Indian River Lagoon (Florida, US).
PI: Prof Maikel Rosabal (UQAM) and Marc Amyot (Université de Montréal)
Position: PhD
Knowledge of the subcellular behaviour of trace metals in targeted organs is crucial to better understand and predict metal toxicity in aquatic organisms. In this regard, information on the subcellular metal-handling strategies used to cope with these contaminants can help to identify metals of potential concern for risk
assessments. In addition to the intracellular fate of metals, characterization of the biomolecules targeted by trace metal are essential to reveal potential metal biomarkers. For that reason, the objective of this PhD project is to determine the subcellular handling strategies of several elements (Hg, As, Se, Pb, Cd, La, Ce)
in vertebrates inhabiting two metal-impacted ecosystems. Fish species from lakes located in the mining region of Rouyn-Noranda (Québec) as well as others organisms collected near the Indian River Lagoon system (Florida), which receives urban, industrial and agricultural effluents will be investigated in this
project. To address our research questions, approaches related to environmental metallomics such as subcellular metal partitioning and hyphenated techniques will be applied. This research will reveal information about the molecular and subcellular mechanisms by which trace metals interact and the biomolecules harmfully targeted by these contaminants with a potential use as biomarkers in monitoring programs. All these results will greatly improve our knowledge to understand the risk that trace metals may pose in aquatic environments.
For more information, click here
Recharge and emergence of subterranean water
PI: Prof Marie Laroque (UQAM)
This MSc research project is part of a new project whose objective is to develop a methodology to assess the resilience of groundwater and its ecological services in inhabited territories.
The general objective of the proposed master's subject is to quantify the dynamics of groundwater recharge and emergence in the Vaudreuil-Soulanges region. The specific objectives are 1) to put in place instruments in six rivers to monitor flows, 2) to estimate the groundwater inflows using natural tracers, 3) to estimate the recharge over the entire study area using a water balance model.
Prerequisites: BSc in Geology or Geography or Civil engineering
Grant: $ 15,000 / year for two years
Duration: May 2021 to April 2023
Supervisor: Marie Larocque, hydrogeologist and professor in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at UQAM (larocque.marie@uqam.ca)
To apply, send by email:
• Cover letter
• Complete CV
• Up-to-date transcript
• Contact details of two references (will be contacted later)
Water balance on the Mount Covey Hill natural laboratory
PI: Prof Marie Laroque (UQAM)
Mount Covey Hill Natural Laboratory's mission is to understand and protect a unique ecosystem that is home to rare and endangered species of salamander. The site has been hydrologically monitored for 15 years now, and the Nature Conservancy of Canada wishes to conduct a water balance study there.
The general objective of this MSc research project is to quantify the water balance on the Mount Covey Hill natural laboratory starting in 2006. The specific objectives are 1) to complete the hydrological monitoring network (meteorological data, sources, flows, levels water table), 2) to quantify all the components of the water balance equation (precipitation, evapotranspiration, flows in watercourses, recharge, underground flows, pumping), 3) to quantify the monthly and annual water balances from 2006 to 2021 and 4) identify current hydrological changes and anticipate future conditions.
Prerequisites: BSc in Geology or Geography
Grant: $ 15,000 / year for two years
Duration: May 2021 to April 2023
Supervisors: Marie Larocque, hydrogeologist and professor in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at UQAM (larocque.marie@uqam.ca) and Chantal Cloutier, project manager at the Nature Conservancy of Canada.
To apply, send by email:
• Cover letter
• Complete CV
• Up-to-date transcript
• Contact details of two references (will be contacted later)https://gril.uqam.ca/research-opportunities
Phoslock in Lac Bromont
PI: Prof Dolors Planas (UQAM) and Raoul-Marie Couture (Université Laval)
This Master’s project relates to the recovery of lake Bromont after the treatment of
Phoslock. There are two different components to this project: 1) Determine the balance
between the external load of phosphorus from the tributaries and the internal loading form
the sediments in relation to meteorological events (intensity and direction of winds,
precipitations), physical forcings (water column stability), chemical (oxygen and
phosphorus concentrations) and biological parameters (cyanobacterial biomass in the
water column) and 2) Forecast future scenarios of the lake as a function of climate change
and watershed nutrient inputs via numerical modelling which could prevent or reverse the
recovery of lake Bromont.
Start date: Spring 2020
Interested applicants should send a cover letter (1-page
maximum), and a C.V., to: dolores.planas@uqam.ca
Microbial diversity, functions and activities in abandoned underground flooded mines
PI: Prof Cassandre Lazar (UQAM)
PhD research project is available at the Department of Biological Sciences, Université du
Québec à Montréal (UQAM), to study microbial ecology in a subsurface flooded mine in
Quebec. When mines are closed, they get flooded with groundwater. As they are
abandoned, microbial colonization takes place in these preserved and mainly sealed
habitats. This project will focus on : 1) the diversity of the adapted microbial community in
water and biofilms using amplicon sequencing, 2) the metabolic functions of these
communities using metagenomic reconstructions, 3) the activities of the microbial populations using cultural approaches.
Because these habitats are mostly pristine, this
project has the potential to reveal novel unknown microbes and metabolic activities.
The candidate will receive training in microbial ecology, aquatic ecology, genomic and
metagenomic methods, bioinformatics, and experimental research. He/she will have the
opportunity for field trips and sampling. He/she will collaborate with extreme divers and
anthropologists from the University of Ottawa. The successful applicant will benefit from
a strong scientific core in aquatic science at UQAM and from a dynamic research
environment set within the GRIL.
Qualified applicants will ideally have a MSc degree in Microbiology, Biology, Ecology, or
Environmental Sciences, demonstrate evidence of research potential, and have a keen
interest in microbial ecology as well as aquatic ecology. Experience and skills in
microbiology, molecular biology, statistical analyses, and/or bioinformatics are assets.
French linguistic skills are not required, but would also be considered an asset.
Start date: January 2021
Interested applicants should send a cover letter (1-page
maximum), and a C.V., to: lazar.cassandre@uqam.ca
MSc or PhD position: Predicting microbial community dynamics in subsurface aquifer ecosystems
PI: Cassandre Lazar (UQAM) and Frédéric Guichard (McGill)
Microbial communities are dynamic ecosystems, constantly shifting in terms of diversity, structure and function, as a response to environmental fluctuations and to species interactions. However, we still lack a good understanding of how key functions of microbial ecosystem are maintained under such fluctuations. We are inviting applications from students interested in combining ecological models with sequence data from microbial DNA in aquifer systems to predict microbial community dynamics in fluctuating environmental conditions.
Aquifers are composed of groundwater flowing through particles and rocks, containing a vast diversity of microbial populations either living in the water, or attached to the rock surfaces. As water seeps from the surface (originating from rainfall or snowmelt), it brings new microbes and nutrients with it to the underground layers. Thus, aquifer ecosystems are faced with fluctuating water, nutrient, carbon and oxygen availability, and impacted by changing physico-chemical, geochemical and geological conditions. These fluctuations impact microbial community dynamics by shaping networks of microbial species interactions whether they are positive (mutualism), or negative (competition, predation, parasitism). The research will involve combining sequence data already obtained from microbial DNA in aquifer systems in Quebec with dynamic models of microbial species interactions including facilitation and competition for resources. The goal will be to predict dynamic relationships between aquifer microbial community structure and ecosystem functions under fluctuating environments.
The successful candidate will be co-supervised by prof. Cassandre Lazar (Université du Québec à Montréal) and prof. Frederic Guichard (McGill University) and benefit from a stimulating research and training environment at both institutions located downtown Montreal. We encourage applications at the MSc level but students interested in a PhD are also welcome to apply. We also encourage applications from candidate eligible for funding from major external fellowship programs.
Please submit you application including your CV, a statement of research interests, and the contact information of 3 references to:
Cassandre Lazar : lazar.cassandre@uqam.ca, and
Frédéric Guichard: fred.guichard@mcgill.ca