PhD Opportunity in Mountain Thermal Regimes and Ecological Refugia The University of Lethbridge in Canada

PhD opportunity at The University of Lethbridge in the Department of Geography & Environment with Philip Bonnaventure (Associate Professor).

The project is titled Mountain Thermal Regimes and Ecological Refugia and focuses on linking ground temperature, vegetation, and climate sensitivity from Yukon to the Canadian Rockies. This is a field-based research project with a comparative mountain component in the Canadian Rockies.

Research themes include surface-based inversions and ground thermal regimes, snow/vegetation/topographic controls, vegetation structure and ecological thermal niches, and climate-change refugia in mountain landscapes. The work will involve field research, use of environmental sensors, data analysis, GIS/remote sensing, and quantitative modelling.

Ideal background: geography, environmental science, climatology, permafrost science, plant ecology, snow science, or a related field. Applicants should be interested in mountain environments, microclimate, vegetation, permafrost, and climate-change refugia, and should have strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Experience with fieldwork, environmental sensors, R/Python, GIS, and quantitative analysis is preferred.

Funding includes a supervisor-funded stipend of $10,000/year for 4 years, a potential assistantship of about $7,200/year (Fall + Winter), and an estimated base package of about $68,800 over 4 years if the GA is secured. The post also notes support for applying to external doctoral funding such as NSERC CGS D ($40,000/year for 36 months) and possible internal awards.

Eligibility: priority will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents for NSERC doctoral funding, but strong applicants from other countries may also be considered.

Deadline: August 31, 2026. Preferred start: January 2027.

How to apply: email a single PDF containing a statement of research interests and fit, CV, unofficial transcripts, contact information for two referees, and an example of written work if available.