The Soil Biogeochemistry group in the Department of Renewable Resources
(http://www.ales.ualberta.ca/rr/), University of Alberta, Edmonton is seeking a
motivated Ph.D.
student to join our team.
Project: Boreal forest soils are the single largest terrestrial carbon
storehouse in the world.
Consequently, changes in boreal carbon stocks and fluxes could significantly
affect the global
carbon cycle. These northern, high-latitude soils are also highly susceptible
to global warming,
and in the coming century are expected to face large increases in average
temperatures,
altered freeze-thaw patterns, and transformative vegetation shifts. The carbon
contained in
boreal soils is a complex network of interconnected pools, the stability of
which may be
controlled by various mechanisms. As such, it has been challenging to predict
the response of
boreal soil carbon to environmental changes.
This Ph.D. project will aim to clarify how interactions between the soil
geological material and
vegetation may ultimately determine the response of boreal soil carbon to
climatic changes.
We will use a variety of methods, including NMR and stable isotope tracking, to
evaluate the
source and fate of boreal carbon in soil profiles under different environmental
conditions.
Qualifications: Candidates must have a M.Sc. (or equivalent) in soil science,
chemistry or a
related environmental science discipline. Strong verbal and written
communication skills are
essential.
The project will include some field sampling. A Class 5 Driver license is
required, and
experience working in difficult and remote terrain will be an asset. This
project will also involve
substantial laboratory work where attention to detail is essential. Prior
experience with
analytical techniques used in environmental chemistry is preferred.
Students must commence their graduate study between September 2017 and May
2018.
The project is funded by NSERC. A yearly stipend of $25,000 will be provided.
In addition, the
University of Alberta provides competitive recruitment awards between $5,000
and $10,000
for outstanding applicants. Graduates from a Canadian University with a GPA>3.5
on a 4.0
scale and international students with equivalent academic accomplishments
usually receive an
entrance award.
Interested candidates should e-mail their transcript, a detailed curriculum
vitae, a cover letter
that summarizes their qualifications and research goals, and the names and
contact
information of three references to Dr. Sylvie Quideau at
sylvie.quid...@ualberta.ca.
Only successful candidates will be contacted.
