TWO MASTER STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES
- Employer
- University of Waterloo
- Location
- Waterloo (Region), Ontario
- Closing date
- Dec 10, 2020
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- Discipline
- Biogeosciences, Geochemistry, Hydrology
- Career Level
- Student / Graduate
- Education Level
- Bachelors
- Job Type
- Internship
- Relocation Cost
- No Relocation
- Sector Type
- Academia
Job Details
POSITIONS DESCRIPTION
These MSc positions are related to a project recently funded by the Global Water Futures, ‘Managing Urban Eutrophication Risks under Climate Change: An Integrated Modelling and Decision Support Framework’ at the University of Waterloo. The project aims to develop a toolbox for assessing the vulnerability and exposure of Lake Ontario’s water quality to excessive phosphorus (P) export due to urbanization and climate change. The focus will be on eutrophication risks and Cladophora growth in the littoral zone of the Western basin of Lake Ontario (WLO) driven by urban P inputs from Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe, which includes the Greater Toronto Area.
Position #1: We are seeking a Master student to study how water quality changes, driven by urban P loads and frequency of algal blooms, affect recreational water use possibilities in Lake Ontario. The student will apply biophysical modelling and mapping tools to the littoral zone of the WLO and investigate how changes in ecosystem status are likely to affect recreational ecosystem services along the shoreline of WLO. This research is expected to contribute to Lake Ontario management actions by informing decision-makers (i) how changes in lake water quality are expected to affect valuable recreational ecosystem services, and (ii) to analyse cost-effectiveness of different management options for reducing urban P export.
Supervisors: Prof. Philippe Van Cappellen, Prof. Roy Brouwer, Dr. Rute Pinto
Eligibility: Applicants should hold a degree in environmental science, eco-hydrology, environmental geography, environmental or ecological economics, or a related discipline. The candidate should have good quantitative skills (for example in statistics or mathematical programming), as well as interest in spatial analysis of large datasets (for example using ArcGIS). Funding is available for two years.
Position #2: We are seeking a Master student to study the retrieval algorithm of Cladophora and Chl-a concentration utilizing remote sensing sensors to calibrate the developed algal growth model of western Lake Ontario. This research is a collaboration between Ecohydrology Lab at the University of Waterloo and ReSEC Lab at Wilfrid Laurier University. The research will contribute to assembling the suite of modeling and assessment tools that will link variable urban nutrient export fluxes to the ecological, social and economic impacts of eutrophication in the receiving surface waters.
Supervisors: Prof. Philippe Van Cappellen, Prof. Homa Kheyrollah Pour
Eligibility: Students interested should have a strong background and experience in one or a
combination of Geography, Physics, Earth Science, Geomatics, and Biology. Strengths in
programming, writing, statistical analysis, and the ability to work both independently and in a
team are essential. The candidate should have good quantitative skills, Python programming as
well as interest in spatial analysis of large datasets. Funding is available for two years.
Application Information Enquiries: For further information about position #1, please contact
Dr. Rute Pinto (rute.pinto@uwaterloo.ca). Further information about position #2 can be obtained
by contacting Dr. Kheyrollah Pour (hpour@wlu.ca).
Application Process: Interested candidates can submit a letter of application for position #1 to
Dr. Rute Pinto (rute.pinto@uwaterloo.ca), and for position #2 to Dr. Kheyrollah Pour
(hpour@wlu.ca). The letter of application should include (1) a cover letter outlining the
student’s interest and motivation to work in the project, (2) relevant background and experience
to increase eligibility, and (3) a full curriculum vitae.
Closing date: Applications will be reviewed as they are received. The positions will remain
open until filled. Only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.
Company
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