OPPORTUNITIES
The McMaster Ecohydrology Lab is committed to the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion. We welcome people of any ethnicity, ability, gender, and sexual orientation to reach out to us about our research and training opportunities.
Our research and training opportunities are listed below.
1 x PhD student in peatland wildfire ecohydrological modelling (September, 2022)
We have a fully funded PhD graduate student with a preferred start of September, 2022 in our WILDPHIRE (Wildfire: Peatland Hydrology, Impacts, Resilience and Ecology) project. The aim of this WILDPHIRE project is to establish peat flammability thresholds to model how drought affects landscape wildfire danger. Our Peatland Hydrological Impacts (PHI) and Peat Smouldering and Ignition (PSI) models will also be used to examine the effects of drought and wildfire on boreal peatland ecosystem form and function. Applicants should have strong numeracy, statistics, modelling and GIS skills and a background in hydrology, ecology, and/or soil physics. Previous field research experience is an asset. While the McMaster University School of Earth, Environment & Society application deadline is in mid January, students should contact Dr. Waddington by emailing a cover letter, resume and list of marks by January 15, 2022.
1 x MSc student in reptiles at risk ecohydrology and habitat restoration (May, 2022)
We have a fully funded M.Sc. graduate student with a preferred start of May, 2022. Applicants should have a background in hydrology, ecology, biogeochemistry and/or soil science. Previous field research experience is an asset. Field work research takes place in Ontario's near-north at the Northern Ontario Barrens and Bog Ecosystems Landscape (NOBEL). While the McMaster University School of Earth, Environment & Society application deadline is in mid January, students should contact Dr. Waddington by emailing a cover letter, resume and list of marks by January 15, 2022.
2x BSc research thesis students (September, 2022)
We provide capstone research opportunities for two B.Sc. research thesis students in their fourth year of undergraduate studies. NSERC USRA scholars and students hired as a B.Sc. research assistant (see below) are given priority. Students should meet with Dr. Waddington in their third year while taking EnvirSc 3RD3 to discuss possible topics while preparing their 3RD3 proposal. Students with a GPA of B+ or higher are welcome to apply by emailing a cover letter, resume and list of marks to Dr. Waddington by by January 15, 2022.
2 x BSc summer research assistants (Summer, 2022)
We provide capstone job training opportunities for up to three B.Sc. summer research assistants each summer. Our research assistants are trained in field and/or laboratory methods in hydrology, carbon biogeochemistry, SAR ecology, vegetation ecology and soil science at our sites in northern Ontario or northern Alberta. NSERC USRA scholarship eligible students and students interested in completing a 4th year thesis are given priority (see above). Students with a GPA of B+ or higher are welcome to apply by emailing a cover letter, resume and list of marks to Dr. Waddington by January 15, 2022.
2 x BSc fall/winter research internships (September, 2022)
We provide capstone research and training opportunities for up to three B.Sc. students each academic year through our paid research assistant internship program. Interns are trained in field and/or laboratory methods in hydrology, ecology and soil science preparing them for thesis research and job opportunities in the following summer. B.Sc. RA interns work several hours a week and are introduced to our research through weekly meetings and optional conference attendance. We accept applications from students in the Honours Biodiversity and Environmental Science, Honours Environmental Science, and Honours Earth and Environmental Sciences programs. Students with a GPA of B+ or higher are welcome to apply by emailing a cover letter, resume and list of courses and marks to Dr. Waddington by January 15, 2022.
Our research and training opportunities are listed below.
1 x PhD student in peatland wildfire ecohydrological modelling (September, 2022)
We have a fully funded PhD graduate student with a preferred start of September, 2022 in our WILDPHIRE (Wildfire: Peatland Hydrology, Impacts, Resilience and Ecology) project. The aim of this WILDPHIRE project is to establish peat flammability thresholds to model how drought affects landscape wildfire danger. Our Peatland Hydrological Impacts (PHI) and Peat Smouldering and Ignition (PSI) models will also be used to examine the effects of drought and wildfire on boreal peatland ecosystem form and function. Applicants should have strong numeracy, statistics, modelling and GIS skills and a background in hydrology, ecology, and/or soil physics. Previous field research experience is an asset. While the McMaster University School of Earth, Environment & Society application deadline is in mid January, students should contact Dr. Waddington by emailing a cover letter, resume and list of marks by January 15, 2022.
1 x MSc student in reptiles at risk ecohydrology and habitat restoration (May, 2022)
We have a fully funded M.Sc. graduate student with a preferred start of May, 2022. Applicants should have a background in hydrology, ecology, biogeochemistry and/or soil science. Previous field research experience is an asset. Field work research takes place in Ontario's near-north at the Northern Ontario Barrens and Bog Ecosystems Landscape (NOBEL). While the McMaster University School of Earth, Environment & Society application deadline is in mid January, students should contact Dr. Waddington by emailing a cover letter, resume and list of marks by January 15, 2022.
2x BSc research thesis students (September, 2022)
We provide capstone research opportunities for two B.Sc. research thesis students in their fourth year of undergraduate studies. NSERC USRA scholars and students hired as a B.Sc. research assistant (see below) are given priority. Students should meet with Dr. Waddington in their third year while taking EnvirSc 3RD3 to discuss possible topics while preparing their 3RD3 proposal. Students with a GPA of B+ or higher are welcome to apply by emailing a cover letter, resume and list of marks to Dr. Waddington by by January 15, 2022.
2 x BSc summer research assistants (Summer, 2022)
We provide capstone job training opportunities for up to three B.Sc. summer research assistants each summer. Our research assistants are trained in field and/or laboratory methods in hydrology, carbon biogeochemistry, SAR ecology, vegetation ecology and soil science at our sites in northern Ontario or northern Alberta. NSERC USRA scholarship eligible students and students interested in completing a 4th year thesis are given priority (see above). Students with a GPA of B+ or higher are welcome to apply by emailing a cover letter, resume and list of marks to Dr. Waddington by January 15, 2022.
2 x BSc fall/winter research internships (September, 2022)
We provide capstone research and training opportunities for up to three B.Sc. students each academic year through our paid research assistant internship program. Interns are trained in field and/or laboratory methods in hydrology, ecology and soil science preparing them for thesis research and job opportunities in the following summer. B.Sc. RA interns work several hours a week and are introduced to our research through weekly meetings and optional conference attendance. We accept applications from students in the Honours Biodiversity and Environmental Science, Honours Environmental Science, and Honours Earth and Environmental Sciences programs. Students with a GPA of B+ or higher are welcome to apply by emailing a cover letter, resume and list of courses and marks to Dr. Waddington by January 15, 2022.
