Fully funded MSc opportunity in wildfire, soil erosion, and carbon dynamics
Geomorphology (GM)
Soil System Sciences (SSS)
A fully funded MSc position is available in our research group at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) for a student interested in investigating the links between wildfires, soil erosion, and carbon dynamics in forest environments.
Project overview: This MSc position is part of a large, collaborative research project that investigates how wildfire-triggered erosion and deposition processes affect soil organic carbon (SOC) in forest ecosystems. This MSc thesis will focus on using 239+240Pu soil redistribution rates and relate them to SOC stocks and fractions over timescales in forests of northwestern Canada. The project is funded by NSERC and BC Real Estate Foundation.
Supervision & Collaboration: The MSc student will be supervised by Dr. Raquel Portes and co-supervised by Dr. Diogo Spinola (UNBC). They will also collaborate closely with Dr. Phil Owens (UNBC), Dr. Brendan Miller (BC Ministry of Forests), Dr. Michael Ketterer (Northern Arizona University), Dr. Markus Egli (University of Zurich), partners from the Cheslatta First Nation, as well as postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, and undergraduate students.
Required qualifications:
- BSc in soil science, geography, forestry, geology, and environmental science.
- Strong communication and organizational skills
- Ability to work effectively in a team environment
- Willingness to conduct fieldwork in remote locations
Preferred prior experience/qualifications
- Soil morphological description and sampling
- Soil laboratory work (organic matter, carbon, fractionations, textures)
- Wet chemistry laboratory (pipetting, weighing, preparing solutions)
- Familiarity with fallout radionuclides
- Experience with data analysis and statistics.
- Valid driver’s license
Start Date: Spring semester, May, 2026.
Location: The MSc student will enrol in a graduate program (MSc) in Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, UNBC in Prince George, BC, Canada (https://www.unbc.ca/nres-graduate-program).
Application Process: Submit as a single PDF to Dr. Raquel Portes (raquel.portes@unbc.ca) with subject line “MSc wildfire erosion carbon”:
- Cover letter detailing previous academic and/or work experience and how these are related to the skills required for this position (max. 1 page)
- A CV detailing academic achievements, conferences, and publications.
- Unofficial transcripts
- Names and contact information of two references
Deadline: Applications received by September 30, 2025, will be given full consideration, but applications will be accepted and reviewed until the position is filled. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals, including women, Indigenous people, visible minorities, and persons with disabilities.