PhD or MSc position in plant ecology and global change in Mark Vellend’s lab
Université de Sherbrooke
I am looking for a Ph.D. or M.Sc. student to begin their degree in my lab, with a flexible start date. The student will develop their own project on some aspect(s) of plant responses to environmental change, building on previous studies in the lab on plant phenology, elevational range limits, interactions with other species (e.g., herbivores, pollinators), and community ecology. In addition to new data collection, the student will have opportunities to draw on existing data sets from Mont Mégantic, Québec, along an elevational gradient. These datasets characterize plant community composition and species distributions, species’ functional traits, flowering and vegetative phenology over the past 10 years, and remotely sensed imagery (including hyperspectral). Within this context, many specific research directions are possible. For more information on research and people in the lab, please visit the lab website:
https://mvellend.recherche.usherbrooke.ca/
The student will join a vibrant and diverse lab and department, with access to many additional training and networking activities via the Center for Forest Research and the Québec Centre for Biodiversity Science. Sherbrooke lies in the beautiful and affordable (relative to larger cities) Eastern Townships region of Québec. The stipend will be commensurate with FRQNT fellowships. I welcome candidates who are enthusiastic about plant ecology, intellectually curious about testing ecological hypotheses, who can plan and organize logistics, and who can work in a team and independently. Students should have a background in ecology or related field. It is expected that students learn French during their degree, but proficiency is not required at the start. My lab is committed to diversity and inclusion, and I welcome applications from students with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. I aim to foster a collegial, dynamic, supportive, and flexible culture in the lab.
To apply, please begin by sending an e-mail describing why you are interested in the position, and what makes you a good candidate. You can attach your CV, but at the initial stage there is no need to send more accompanying documents. I will follow up with selected candidates for more information.
mark.vellend@usherbrooke.ca