Public Health

Simon Fraser University’s Cleland Lab (Faculty of Health Sciences) in partnership with the Legacy for Airway Health (VCHRI) is offering two fully funded graduate student positions (MSc or PhD) starting September 2026. The research focuses on the health impacts of wildfire smoke exposure, large-scale epidemiologic studies on respiratory and neurocognitive health, and the intersection of climate change, air quality, and public health. Students will work in an interdisciplinary environment with collaborators from SFU, UBC, BC CDC, and VCHRI, gaining access to rich datasets and mentorship from leading researchers. Supervision is provided by Dr. Stephanie Cleland, an Assistant Professor specializing in environmental epidemiology and wildfire smoke health research. Successful candidates will receive a competitive stipend of $30,000–$35,000 per year, with opportunities to publish research and present at global conferences. Applicants must meet SFU’s MSc or PhD admission requirements and are preferred if they have experience in environmental health, climate change, quantitative research, data science (especially R programming), epidemiologic methods, and strong communication skills. Applications require a cover letter, CV, and unofficial transcripts, to be submitted by email to Dr. Cleland by November 15, 2025. This opportunity is ideal for motivated students seeking to address urgent health challenges related to climate change and environmental exposures, and to develop expertise in public health research.