[ECOLOG-L] MSc position in forest ecology

[Mark Vanderwel]

I seek a motivated individual for an MSc project investigating the influence of 
moisture availability on forest canopies and tree growth in Canada’s western 
interior. Water availability can have a strong bearing on forest structure, 
dynamics, and carbon balance in this region. The successful candidate will 
obtain multispectral and thermal imagery of forest canopies using an Unmanned 
Aerial Vehicle (UAV), and combine this with daily weather and soil moisture 
data to investigate how tree growth responds to short- and long-term variation 
in moisture. Field work will be conducted in Cypress Hills Interprovincial 
Park, located near the southern end of the Alberta-Saskatchewan border. The 
goal of this research is to better understand how increasing aridity under 
climate change may affect ecosystem carbon balance and the persistence of 
forest cover near the prairie-forest ecotone in western Canada.

The position will start in either May or Sept 2019 (depending on the successful 
candidate’s availability) and will be hosted at the Department of Biology at 
the University of Regina (Saskatchewan, Canada) working under the supervision 
of Dr. Mark Vanderwel (http://vanderwelforestlab.weebly.com). Applicants should 
have a BSc, a strong academic record in biology or a related field, and good 
quantitative skills. 

To apply, please send a cover letter describing research interests, a CV, 
unofficial academic transcripts, and contact information for 2 references by 
e-mail to mark.vander...@uregina.ca. Review of applications will begin on Dec 
10 and will continue until the position is filled.

[ECOLOG-L] MSc position in forest ecology at UNBC Canada

[Oscar Venter]

M.Sc. research opportunity – Forest management effects on carbon

Applications are invited for a funded 2-year M.Sc. position in UNBC’s 
Natural Resources and Environmental Studies Institute collaborating with 
the BC Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations & Rural 
Development (FLNRORD).

The project

Forests play an important role in mitigating climate change, absorbing 
almost a third of anthropogenic emissions. Forests also support a large 
forest industry, which risks disrupting these carbon dynamics and 
potentially convert some forests from sinks to sources of carbon. 
However, empirical studies of alternate forest management effects on 
forest carbon stocks are sparse and often short-term. 

The Date Creek Experiment, established in 1992, offers an ideal 
opportunity to compare the longer-term carbon stock dynamics in 
unharvested old-growth forest compared with various levels of partial 
harvesting and clearcut. This work will contribute to the basic 
scientific knowledge of forest carbon and be highly relevant to decision 
makers interested in climate change mitigation. 

The student will conduct field work at the Date Creek Experiment (near 
Hazelton in north western BC) on the sites that were mature forests 
before large-scale and replicated harvest treatments. Field sampling 
will include trees, snags, coarse woody debris, and forest floor. The 
student will also have access to existing pre-harvest and post-harvest 
data to estimate carbon stocks in overtime either directly or based on 
existing models such as estimating tree biomass from prism plots. 

The student
•   Completion or expected completion of a bachelor’s degree in 
ecology, forestry, biology, or related subject.
•   Strong analytical skills.
•   Field work experience.
•   Driver’s license.
•   Excellent written, verbal, and digital communication skills.
•   Ability to work independently.

Successful applicants will be working with Dr. Oscar Venter (University 
of Northern British Columbia), Caren Dymond (University of Calgary; B.C. 
Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations & Rural 
Development (FLNRORD)), Erica Lilles (FLNRORD).  Two years of funding 
are guaranteed for this position.

Interested students should contact Dr. Oscar Venter for further 
information on this research opportunity and position.  Applicants for 
this position are asked to send a letter of interest, detailed CV, 
transcripts, and names of 3 references to oscar.ven...@unbc.ca.   The 
preferred start date for this position will be January 2019.

[ECOLOG-L] Msc position in forest ecology

[Desrochers, Annie]

A MSc position is available in the intensive silviculture lab at the University 
of Quebec in Abitibi-Temiscamingue (www.uqat.ca), Quebec, 
beginning May 2018.
Working within the Forest Research Institute, the student will use an 
experimental design in the field to study the influence of soil temperature on 
growth and root development of white spruce (Picea glauca) and black spruce 
(Picea mariana). The latter is known for better tolerating cold and wet soils. 
A scholarship over two years is available. I seek students who are curious, 
passionate about trees, forest ecology and tree biology, have good academic 
records and can understand at least a bit of French. Preference will be given 
to students with prior research experience and good writing skills.

Interested candidates should apply by email 
(annie.desroch...@uqat.ca) and send: 1) a 
motivation letter describing their educational background and research 
experience, research interests, and educational and career goals, 2) a 
CV/resume, and 3) the names of three references by March 1st, 2018.



Annie DesRochers, PhD
Professeur-Chercheure
Institut de Recherche sur les Forêts
Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue
341 Principale Nord
Amos, Qc, Canada, J9T2L8
Tel:1-819-732-8809 ext 8327
Fax: 1-819-797-4727
Email: annie.desroch...@uqat.ca
http://www.cef-cfr.ca/index.php?n=Membres.AnnieDesRochers

[ECOLOG-L] MSc position in forest ecology and silviculture (southern Quebec)

[Francois Lorenzetti]

A 2-year master of science scholarship (15,000CDN$/yr)in forest ecology and
silviculture is announced at the Institute of Temperate Forest Sciences
(Université du Québec en Outaouais; http://isfort.uqo.ca) in Ripon
(45.784058, -75.099255)in the beautiful region of Outaouais. A functional
knowledge of French is mandatory prior to admission (TFI of 750/990;
http://www.etscanada.ca/tfi/index.php).

A full description of the project and contact information follow in French.

The project aims at developping a diagnosis tool that would help forest
owners to assess the vulnerabilities of their forest lots to climate change,
and their adaptive capacity.

The project ideally starts in May 2017, but not later than September 2017.
Applications must be send before Feb. 1st, 2017.



Offre de bourse M.Sc. en biologie : Sylviculture et adaptation des forêts
méridionales aux changements globaux

Description : Les changements globaux (les changements climatiques, les
polluants atmosphériques et les invasions biologiques d'espèces exotiques)
occasionneront des modifications importantes dans les écosystèmes
forestiers, pouvant mettre en péril leur intégrité écologique et les
services écosystémiques qu'ils procurent. Les forêts méridionales du Québec
sont particulièrement vulnérables aux changements globaux par leur caractère
morcelé et leur proximité à diverses activités humaines (agriculture,
pollution atmosphérique).  Les propriétaires, qui aménagent les forêts pour
des fins diverses, se trouvent ainsi démunis face à ces menaces et cherchent
des solutions pour rendre leurs boisés moins vulnérables. Afin de répondre à
cette problématique, une équipe de chercheurs a développé un ambitieux
programme de recherche pour les forêts du Haut-St-Laurent visant à
identifier les principales menaces auxquelles ces forêts sont soumises, à
évaluer la capacité d’adaptation des forêts à ces menaces, et à suggérer des
options sylvicoles qui favorisent l’adaptation. Le présent projet de
maîtrise porte spécifiquement sur ce dernier objectif.

L’étudiant choisi sera appelé à combiner et intégrer les résultats d’autres
projets de recherche sur le territoire (ex. vulnérabilité à la sécheresse ou
à l’invasion d’espèces exotiques) de façon à développer une méthodologie
rigoureuse de diagnostic sylvicole qui permettra de décrire les
vulnérabilités spécifiques d’un écosystème forestier donné et le potentiel
d’adaptation de l’écosystème à ces vulnérabilités. L’outil développé devra
être facilement utilisable par les propriétaires ou leurs conseillers
forestiers.

L’étudiant(e) évoluera dans l’environnement stimulant de l’Institut des
sciences de la forêt tempérée (ISFORT, http://isfort.uqo.ca/), basé à Ripon
dans la région de l’Outaouais, et fera partie du Centre d’Étude de la Forêt
(CEF). L’étudiant(e) devra s’inscrire à la maîtrise en biologie de
l’Université  du Québec en Outaouais (UQO) et sera sous la supervision des
professeurs Philippe Nolet (UQO) et Christian Messier (UQO).

Exigences : Le (la) candidat(e) doit avoir complété un baccalauréat en
sciences forestières, biologie ou toute autre discipline pertinente. Il doit
posséder un très bon dossier académique (équivalent à une moyenne cumulative
supérieure à 3,5/4,3), une bonne capacité de rédaction et avoir des bonnes
aptitudes pour le travail d’équipe. Une expérience en programmation et en
gestion de base de données est un atout.  

Traitement : 15 000$/an (projet financé par le Conseil de recherche en
sciences naturelles et en génie du Canada) Durée : 2 ans (début : mai 2017
ou septembre 2017)

Supervision :

Philippe Nolet, ISFORT-UQO (819) 595-3900 poste 2936,
(http://isfort.uqo.ca/nos_chercheurs/philippe-nolet);

Christian Messier, ISFORT-UQO (819) 595-3900 poste 2903;
(http://isfort.uqo.ca/nos_chercheurs/christian-messier).  

 

Faites parvenir votre CV accompagné d’un relevé de note, d’une lettre de
motivation et des coordonnées de deux personnes références avant le 1er
février 2017.

[ECOLOG-L] Msc position in forest ecology

[Desrochers, Annie]

A MSc position is available in the intensive silviculture lab at the University 
of Quebec in Abitibi-Temiscamingue (www.uqat.ca), Quebec, beginning January 
2017.
Working within the Forest Research Institute, the student will use an 
experimental design in the field to study the influence of soil temperature on 
growth and root development of white spruce (Picea glauca) and black spruce 
(Picea mariana). The latter is known for better tolerating cold and wet soils. 
A scholarship over two years is available. I seek students who are curious, 
passionate about trees, forest ecology and tree biology, have good academic 
records and can understand at least a bit of French. Preference will be given 
to students with prior research experience and good writing skills.

Interested candidates should apply by email 
(annie.desroch...@uqat.ca) and send: 1) a 
motivation letter describing their educational background and research 
experience, research interests, and educational and career goals, 2) a 
CV/resume, and 3) the names of three references by October 3rd, 2016.



Annie DesRochers, PhD
Professeur-Chercheure
Institut de Recherche sur les Forêts
Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue
341 Principale Nord
Amos, Qc, Canada, J9T2L8
Tel:1-819-732-8809 ext 8327
Fax: 1-819-797-4727
Email: annie.desroch...@uqat.ca
http://www.cef-cfr.ca/index.php?n=Membres.AnnieDesRochers