Opportunities
Prospective grad students
We are recruiting a PhD student for Fall 2027. See ad below:
PhD Opportunity- Climate-smart meadow restoration
Application Deadline: OPEN until filled
The Meadow Mosaic Lab is seeking a candidate to fill a PhD position focused on climate-smart meadow restoration. The project will examine how restoration strategies can account for climate change, with a particular focus on climate-adjusted provenancing and/or species selection and local ecological knowledge, and the potential for phenological mismatches. Within this broad theme, the project is flexible and could combine field surveys, experiments, and data synthesis to address relevant ecological questions. The overall objective is to better understand how meadow restoration can be designed to support biodiversity and ecological function under a changing climate.
The successful candidate will join The Meadow Mosaic Lab in the Department of Biology and the research group of Dr. Karine Vanthuyne, a Professor in the School of Sociological and Anthropological Studies at the University of Ottawa. The Meadow Mosaic Lab conducts research to support the conservation and recovery of plants and insects in a changing climate. Dr. Vanthuyne’s research interests focus on how socio-ecological repair is shaped by stewardship and participatory governance.
The student will join two research groups and become part of a broader community through established partnerships with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, the Nature Conservancy of Canada, and the Canadian Wildlife Federation, as well as through a network of artists that fosters interdisciplinary learning and exchange.
We welcome candidates who are enthusiastic about ecology and conservation, and who would like to have a broader impact with their research.
Details
Start date. September 1, 2027
Position Description. The student is expected to participate in the lab’s workshops, meetings, and to support other lab member’s field work when feasible. Students who enjoy working in a team, working outdoors, reading and writing, and whom have experience conducting statistics (preferably with the R statistical program) will be a good fit for the position. Additional details of the projects will be provided during the interview process.
Applicants must be recent BSc or MSc graduates or in their last semester of studies and meet the required qualifications for admission to graduate studies at the University of Ottawa.
Other Requirements
Strong interest in conservation science and global change ecology
Strong interest in interdisciplinary work
Strong writing and oral communication skills
Willingness and ability to work in the field for long hours under sometimes challenging conditions (e.g., wet/cold//hot/buggy conditions).
Willingness to travel for field work and be comfortable staying in a variety of accommodations with your teammates (e.g., rental house, rustic field station, camping, etc.)
Ability to work respectfully with others in small teams to carry out project goals and contribute to an inclusive lab environment.
Eligible to work in Ontario as of September 1, 2027.
Valid G drivers’ license
Beneficial (but not required):
Experience working with wildlife.
Competency with statistical analyses in R
Experience or interest in knowledge mobilization (broadly defined)
Funding. This PhD position is fully funded for 4 years (Sept. 2027 - Aug. 2031) with possible extension, with a stipend of $26,500 CAD per year. The successful candidate will be eligible to apply for Teaching Assistant (TA) positions and/or other scholarships, such as entrance scholarships. Field costs will be covered through existing funding agreements. The student will be expected to apply for external funding.
Accommodations and Accessibility. Should you require a copy of this posting in an alternate format, please contact us as soon as possible and we would be happy to get one to you in a timely manner. We believe in the importance of supporting on the-job success for the incumbent and are pleased to discuss and/or provide specific tools, resources, or other requirements for day-to-day work requirements, as needed.
How to Apply
Interested candidates are invited to submit their application to hkharoub[at]uottawa.ca, using the subject “Restoration PhD”.
Please include:
A cover letter stating your interest in graduate studies and explaining why you are a good candidate for this position.
CV (e.g., a clearly formatted resume that includes information about your education)
Contact information for 2 references.
Undergraduate transcripts (unofficial copies are fine).
Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
