Anticipated Start Date: May 2022
Supervisory Team: Dr. Stephanie Wrightand Dr. William Quinton
Degree Program: Master of Science inGeography and Environmental Studiesat Wilfrid Laurier University
Rapid warming of northwestern Canada is leading to widespread permafrost thawwhich is transforminglandscapesand altering surface and subsurface hydrology. Over the last half century, streamflow has been risingat variable ratesin many catchments across the Northwest Territories. Local communities have expressed concern of how changing water levels have impacted their traditional way of life. There are strong indications that variations in therates and patterns of discontinuous permafrost thaw,and resulting changes to groundwater flow pathways,are driving the wide variations in river flow response to climate warming. However, direct, field-basedevidence of this is lacking and the underlying processes remain poorly understoodwhich limits effective adaption and mitigation strategies.
The Scotty Creekresearch teamis seeking anMSccandidatefor a funded two-year project examiningsurface water-groundwater changes driven byclimate warming andpermafrost thaw in the Northwest Territories.The project includes remote sensing and hydrometric analysis combined with field investigations and community engagement activities.In addition to remote sensing work, the candidate will gain valuable and exciting experiencein cold regions hydrology and hydrogeology fieldtechniques includingdrone surveying, geophysics, isotope/geochemical tracers, and hydrometric monitoring.The successful applicant will also join an inclusive and supportiveteam of graduate students, technical staff, professors, and research scientiststhrough Laurier’s Cold Regions Research Centre.
Applicants should have a background in at least one of the following areas: hydrology, physical geography, earth sciences, environmental sciences, water resources engineering, environmental engineering, civil engineering, or a related field. The ideal candidate will haveexperience usingremote sensingmethods and GIS,with an eagerness to engage with community members and conduct remote field work in the southern Northwest Territories.
Candidates who self-identifyasIndigenous/Aboriginal,black,andracialized/visible minoritypersons, women, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQ+ personsare stronglyencouragedto apply.
How to apply: Interested candidates should contact Stephanie Wright(stwright@wlu.ca)and/or William Quinton(wquinton@wlu.ca) with a CV and brief cover letter describing their interest in this positionand related experience.Applications will be reviewed as they are received until a successful candidate is found. For further information regarding the position, contact Stephanie Wright.
