There is a funded MSc research opportunity at Prof. Dr, Azim Mallik's Plant
Ecology Lab at Lakehead University, ON, Canada.
If you are excited in discovering how wildfires change forest vegetation
and whether prescribed burning can emulate such disturbance in a protected
area along with changing climate, then this project is for you. The
project is implemented in beautiful and unique setting of Pukaskwa National
Park, Ontario, Canada on the northern coast of Lake Superior representing a
transition of vegetation from mixed-wood plains to conifer dominated boreal
shields. Using already available fire history and remote sensing data
(satellite images, aerial photos) you will model post-fire vegetation
change in Pukaskwa National Park, Ontario, Canada. You will have the
opportunity to collect additional data (as required for the research) from
post-burn sites in and around the park and also for model ground truthing
(keep in mind that most of the park is only accessible by a helicopter!).
You will be working/camping with the park personnel in most cases. You will
work toward achieving the following two specific objectives:
1. Investigate post-fire stand development under natural fire
regime of the past and project changes in dominant cover types in relation
to the predicted climate change.
2. Evaluate the effectiveness of prescribed burns (PB) to
achieve land management goals of the park.
You can also bring in your own research idea(s) as long as they
are in line with the funded project.
Course(s) done in GIS and remote sensing, and experience of
handling remote sensing data, interpreting aerial photos, GIS mapping would
be an asset but not an absolute requirement. However, the student would be
required to learn/get trained on these skills before starting the project.
An orientation to boreal forest ecosystem will also be helpful.
The position is open to both Canadian and international students. However,
the student is responsible for covering respective tuition and health
insurance. The student will receive aprrox. $22,000 annually for two years.
In addition, the student will be eligible to apply for several departmental
scholarships and awards that are competitive and often awarded first-come-first
serve basis. Please consult the graduate funding opportunities @
https://www.lakeheadu.ca/academics/graduate/graduate-funding
To apply :
Send your CV, transcripts (unofficial is fine at this stage), English
proficiency statement (for non-native speakers) and a cover letter
explaining your interest and fit to the project, all in one pdf document,
as soon as possible to
pnp.lu.recr...@gmail.com
First review of the applications will be done in March 02, 2015 and
continue till the position is filled. Only short-listed candidates will be
contacted.
Selected student will have to apply separately for admission as per the
University regulation(s), available@
https://www.lakeheadu.ca/academics/graduate/applying
Expected start date is Spring session (May 2015) or as soon as possible
afterwards. It is possible to join the lab immediately as a
volunteer/part-time student. For further inquiry you may send an email to:
Dr. Azim Mallik
Email: azi...@qq.com or amal...@lakeheadu.ca
Postal address:
Professor Azim Mallik
Department of Biology, Lakehead University
Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada P7B 5E1
or
Saif Khan, Phd Student
Email: mkh...@lakeheadu.ca
