PhD in Groundwater Vulnerability and River Bank Filtration in Québec Université du Québec à Montréal in Canada

PhD opportunity in groundwater vulnerability, hydrogeology, geochemistry, and environmental tracer analysis at Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), Canada.

The project, titled “Quantification of the vulnerability of groundwater in river bank filtration in Québec”, focuses on river bank filtration (RBF/BF) systems and how surface water infiltrates aquifers and reaches pumping wells. The research aims to develop innovative tracer approaches to quantify infiltration dynamics, response times, and flowpaths in Québec, with direct relevance to drinking water protection, climate resilience, and source-to-tap management.

Research activities include field tracer experiments and laboratory development/testing of analytical methods. The project will use isotopic tracers such as δ²H and δ³⁷Cl, and geochemical tracers such as Br, noble gases, and SF₆. A key component is the use of miniRUEDI, a field mass spectrometer for dissolved gas analysis. Field campaigns will cover urban, industrial, and agricultural settings.

The PhD will be carried out within the UNESCO Chair in Global Environmental Change at UQAM’s Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences in Montréal, with international collaboration planned with the University of Oulu, Finland.

Funding: 3 years of funding from MELCCFP and Fonds Bleu. Start date: September 2026.

Eligibility: M.Sc. and/or engineering degree in hydrogeology and/or geochemistry; relevant laboratory experience in hydrochemical and isotopic analyses; proven fieldwork experience; knowledge of isotopic geochemistry, environmental tracers, and hydrogeological modelling is an advantage.

How to apply: Send your CV, cover letter, and M.Sc. academic record to Dr. Antoine Picard at [email protected]. More details are available via the project link.