Dan Shugar

The University of Calgary, in collaboration with the Yukon Geological Survey, is seeking PhD students and postdoctoral researchers for a project focused on high mountain geohazards, particularly glacier landslide-tsunami events in the subarctic. This opportunity is part of the Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards, a new federal initiative supporting the recruitment of international research talent to Canada. The program is open to candidates currently outside Canada, including Canadian citizens studying abroad and foreign nationals. Led by Associate Professor Dan Shugar and Derek Cronmiller, the research will emphasize engineering geology, numerical modelling, and environmental science, with a strong focus on climate resilience and Arctic geohazards. The project aligns with several of the eight priority research areas of the Canada Impact+ program, including environment, climate resilience, and advanced digital technologies. Successful applicants will join a dynamic research team and benefit from a fully funded scholarship or fellowship. Doctoral scholarships are valued at $40,000 per year for three years, while postdoctoral awards are $70,000 per year for two years. The University of Calgary will nominate selected candidates for the national competition, with nominations due in early January 2026 and results expected by April 1, 2026. The awards are designed for rapid delivery and are administered by Canada’s three federal research funding agencies: CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC. Applicants should have a strong background in high mountain geohazards, with experience in engineering geology or numerical modelling highly preferred. Interested candidates should email their CV and cover letter to Dan Shugar as soon as possible, as the internal nomination process is imminent. For more information, refer to the official Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards announcement and the University of Calgary’s research opportunities page. This is an excellent opportunity for researchers passionate about geohazards, environmental science, and Arctic studies to contribute to impactful research in Canada’s strategic priority areas.