PhD Position in Life Cycle Assessment of Urban Agricultural Practices

Sustainable Research Management Lab, Department of Geography and Environment

Western University London, Ontario, Canada

Research Overview: Motivated PhD candidate needed for innovative research on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in urban and peri-urban agriculture. The candidate will collaborate with, and build on, field data collection in and around Toronto. The ToSustain project, led by Dr. Issac at UofT Scarborough, brings together an interdisciplinary team, recruiting over 14 graduate students to investigate how urban agriculture can contribute to net-zero cities and agriculture. This position will allow the candidate to:

  • Develop specialized GHG accounting models for urban agriculture
  • Construct scenarios for a diversity of plausible and desirable futures
  • Include a potential focus on the impact of nutrient management, irrigation, and crop choice on emissions

Funding Details:

  • Approximately $33,000 annual funding via
    • Teaching assistantship during semesters
    • Department graduate fellowship
    • Summer project funding

Application Specifics:

  • Start Date: September 2025
  • Expression of Interest: By December 31st, 2024 to set up a zoom meeting to prepare the formal application to the department together
  • Application Deadline: January 31st, 2025

**Priority given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents

Candidate Requirements:

  • Master’s degree in environmental science, agricultural sciences, sustainability, geography or related field
  • Familiarity with footprint analysis, life cycle assessment, or GHG emissions modeling
  • Strong statistical and research skills
  • Good communication (especially written) skills

To Apply:

Send an email to Dr. Geneviève Metson at gmetson@uwo.ca with

  • What aspect of our research you are interested in (be specific)
  • A copy of your unofficial academic transcripts
  • Your CV
  • A writing sample