Apply now for PhD and MSc positions in the Groundwater Research Group at UQAT. Study wildfire impacts on water resources using hydrological modeling, remote sensing, machine learning & geochemistry. Funded by NSERC.

🌍 Graduate Research Opportunities in Wildfire and Water Resource Studies – PhD & MSc Positions at UQAT (IRME), Canada

Are you passionate about environmental science, hydrology, and advanced data analysis? Here’s your chance to be part of a groundbreaking, fully-funded research initiative at one of Canada’s most respected mining and environmental research institutions.

The Groundwater Research Group (GRES) at the Institut de recherche en mines et en environnement (IRME), Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT) is now accepting applications for one PhD and one MSc position. These roles are embedded in an NSERC-funded research program designed to assess the impacts of wildfires on water quantity and quality across boreal watersheds in Quebec’s Canadian Shield.

This opportunity combines field-based data collection with cutting-edge analytical techniques in hydrology, remote sensing, machine learning, and geochemical modeling. If you’re a driven student seeking high-impact, interdisciplinary research, this is your moment to shine.

🔍 Project Overview – Wildfires & Water Resources in Quebec

The overarching goal of the project is to investigate the short-term and long-term impacts of wildfires on surface and subsurface water resources in remote boreal ecosystems. Wildfires are becoming increasingly common due to climate change, particularly across northern Canada. Their effects on hydrology, soil chemistry, and water quality are still not well understood.

📌 Key Research Areas:

• Hydrological modeling of post-fire landscapes

• Water quality monitoring and geochemical analysis

• Application of remote sensing to map fire scars and landscape changes

• Integration of machine learning models to predict hydrological responses

The findings will help communities, policymakers, and resource managers mitigate wildfire-related risks to critical water supplies and ecosystem services in northern regions.

🧑‍🎓 Available Graduate Positions

✅ 1. PhD Position in Hydrogeochemistry / Watershed Modeling

• Focus: Advanced hydrological modeling, wildfire impact simulations, machine learning integration.

• Ideal Background: Environmental engineering, hydrology, hydrogeology, civil engineering, or data science.

• Tools & Techniques: MODFLOW, SWAT, Python, R, ArcGIS, machine learning frameworks (e.g., scikit-learn, TensorFlow).

• Expectations: The student will be responsible for developing numerical models to simulate post-wildfire water flow, contaminant transport, and quality variations.

✅ 2. MSc Position in Water Resources & Remote Sensing

• Focus: Remote sensing of fire-affected landscapes, data-driven analysis of watershed conditions.

• Ideal Background: Geography, environmental science, geoinformatics, or earth science.

• Tools & Techniques: QGIS, ENVI, Google Earth Engine, Sentinel/Landsat image processing, water sampling, basic ML techniques.

• Expectations: The MSc student will work closely with the PhD student to integrate satellite-derived data with field observations to characterize post-wildfire watershed changes.

📍 Location – Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT)

Located in the heart of Abitibi-Témiscamingue, UQAT is a leading Canadian research university in the fields of mining, environment, forestry, and indigenous knowledge systems. The Institut de recherche en mines et en environnement (IRME) is a joint venture between UQAT and major industry players, providing students access to state-of-the-art laboratories, field equipment, and industry-relevant research experiences.

💰 Funding & Benefits

Both positions are part of an NSERC-funded program and offer competitive financial support, including:

• Full tuition coverage

• Stipend/salary based on experience and degree level

• Research funding for fieldwork, conferences, and publications

• Access to UQAT’s modern infrastructure and field stations

• Opportunities to collaborate with academic and industry partners across Canada

🧠 Candidate Requirements

We are looking for highly motivated students with a passion for environmental sustainability, resilience, and science communication.

✅ General Requirements:

• Strong academic record

• Proficiency in English (French is an asset, but not mandatory)

• Excellent communication and analytical thinking skills

✅ Specific to PhD Candidates:

• Master’s degree in a related field

• Experience with environmental modeling or water quality analysis

• Coding skills (Python, R, or MATLAB) preferred

✅ Specific to MSc Candidates:

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences or a related discipline

• Familiarity with GIS, remote sensing, or fieldwork techniques

• Interest in multi-disciplinary collaboration

📩 How to Apply

Interested candidates should email Dr. Rahim Barzegar at 📧 rahim.barzegar@uqat.ca with the subject line: “Graduate Application – Wildfire and Water Project”

Please include the following:

1. Statement of Interest (1 page max)

2. Curriculum Vitae (CV)

3. Academic Transcripts (Unofficial or Official)

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so apply early for the best chance of selection. The positions will remain open until filled.

🌿 Why This Research Matters

Wildfires are more frequent and intense than ever before, threatening not only terrestrial ecosystems but also vital freshwater resources. This project seeks to bridge science, technology, and community resilience, offering insights that can inform land use planning, emergency response, and sustainable development in vulnerable northern landscapes.

Joining this research program means contributing to real-world solutions for climate adaptation, ecosystem health, and water resource sustainability.

🎓 Final Thoughts – Shape the Future of Water Resilience

The Graduate Research Opportunities at UQAT’s Groundwater Research Group provide an exceptional platform to advance your academic journey, develop technical and leadership skills, and collaborate with experts across disciplines.

If you’re ready to make a lasting impact on environmental research and contribute to wildfire mitigation strategies through science, don’t miss this opportunity.

Apply today and become part of a mission to protect one of Earth’s most vital resources—clean water.