Funded PhD (2) and MSc (1) Positions in Hydroclimate and Land-Atmosphere Interactions – Canada, QC/ON (UdeM, UQAM and Queen's University)
Universite de Montréal (UdeM) / Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) / Queen's University
Université de Montréal (UdeM) and Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) are two of the leading Francophone research universities in Canada, both located in Montréal, Québec.
Queen's University is a leading research-intensive university in Canada, located in Kingston, Ontario.
Climate: Past, Present & Future (CL)
Hydrological Sciences (HS)
Two PhD positions and one MSc position are open immediately as part of a collaborative research project involving the Université de Montréal (UdeM; Prof. Alexis Berg, Department of Geography, Montréal, QC), Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM; Prof. Philippe Lucas-Picher, Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Montréal, QC) and Queen’s University (Prof. Christian Seiler, School of Environmental Studies, Kingston, ON).
This FRQNT- and NSERC-funded project investigates how hydroclimatic volatility – the clustering of extreme water-related climate events (like floods and droughts) in time and/or space – will change in a warmer climate and what the impacts will be on the land surface water cycle and land-atmosphere coupling processes. To do so, the project will rely on state-of-the-art, convection-permitting climate model (CPM) simulations to investigate these changes over Northeast North America, focusing in particular on the advanced understanding gained at very-high resolution compared to regional (RCM) and global (GCM) model projections.
· Project #1 (PhD) - Future changes in rainfall distribution and hydroclimatic volatility (located at UQAM under the primary supervision of P. Lucas-Picher)
This project investigates precipitation patterns and hydroclimatic volatility across the CPM/RCM/GCM model hierarchy. The first part evaluates how well these models reproduce observed rainfall distributions, daily and subseasonal hydroclimatic extremes, and spatio-temporal clustering over the study domain, using a suite of climate extreme indices. The second part examines how these extremes characteristics are projected to change under future climate scenarios. Comparisons across model types and resolutions will reveal the impact of model configuration, especially convection representation, on rainfall intensity, variability, and extremes. The study will also assess shifts in dry spells, extreme precipitation, and rapid “whiplash” events, while considering uncertainties from different GCM boundary conditions. This project will provide a comprehensive, multi-scale understanding of present and future precipitation behavior and hydroclimatic volatility, informing climate risk assessment and adaptation planning.
· Project #2 (PhD) - Land surface hydroclimate under climate warming and enhanced hydroclimatic volatility (located at UdeM, under the primary supervision of A. Berg)
This project explores the representation and future changes in terrestrial hydroclimate and water cycle across the CPM/RCM/GCM model hierarchy, focusing on surface energy and water fluxes, evapotranspiration components, soil moisture profiles, and runoff generation. The PhD student will evaluate how well these models reproduce observed climatological values, daily distributions, and extremes of land surface hydroclimate, examining how differences in atmospheric variability influence soil moisture, evapotranspiration regimes, and runoff variability.
The second part assesses projected changes in these land surface variables under climate change scenarios, comparing model resolutions and configurations to understand their impact on moisture limitation, evapotranspiration controls, and runoff dynamics. Particular emphasis will be placed on whether warming and/or precipitation consolidation leads to increased soil moisture limitation and more pronounced runoff changes at convection-permitting scales.
· Project #3 (MSc) - Changes in land–atmosphere coupling in convection-permitting simulations (located at Queen’s University, under the primary supervision of C. Seiler)
This project investigates soil moisture–precipitation feedbacks and their response to climate change over Northeast North America across the CPM/RCM/GCM model hierarchy. The student will quantify how surface moisture anomalies influence subsequent precipitation and how this coupling depends on model resolution, convection representation, and climate state. Advanced causality analysis techniques, such as Granger causality and convergent cross mapping, will be applied at multiple time scales to disentangle complex land-atmosphere interactions, supported by observational evaluation. The study will also extend to future climate scenarios to assess whether these feedbacks strengthen or weaken under warming, and whether they enhance or counteract atmospheric mechanisms driving hydroclimate variability, including precipitation consolidation.
In the framework of this project, the three selected candidates will be expected to work in close collaboration and benefit from interactions and/or co-supervision between the three co-PIs.
Requirements and preferred qualifications:
We are looking for motivated students with strong backgrounds and research interests in atmospheric, climate and/or land surface science and modeling.
- Applicants for the PhD projects are expected to hold, or soon complete, an MSc degree (or equivalent) in atmospheric sciences, physical geography, hydrology, environmental science or similar fields.
- Similarly, applicants for the MSc project are expected to hold, or soon complete, a BSc degree (or equivalent) in atmospheric sciences, physical geography, hydrology, environmental science or similar fields.
Applicants with degrees in computer science, applied maths or statistics, and with interests in climate science, are also welcome to apply.
For all positions: experience with scientific programming and data analysis is an asset, in particular with large-scale land surface/climate observations and model data. Proficiency in spoken and written English is required.
For the PhD positions (UQAM and UdeM): French language skills are an asset but not required at the PhD level; resources and support will be available for students who wish to learn or improve their French during the program.
All three positions offer competitive stipends supported by the FRQNT/NSERC research project and additional research funds held by the PIs. The PIs will also support the applications from the selected candidates to institutional, provincial and federal scholarships.
All three PIs and their research groups are committed to the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals from underrepresented groups in the geosciences, including but not limited to women, Indigenous peoples, racialized individuals, persons with disabilities, and members of LGBTQ2S+ communities. Candidates with diverse training and non-traditional pathways are encouraged to apply.
Start dates:
PhDs (UQAM, UdeM): As early as Fall 2026 or Winter 2027
MSc (Queens): Flexible between Fall 2026 - Fall 2027
To apply:
Depending on the project of interest, please contact: alexis.maximilien.berg@umontreal.ca, lucas-picher.philippe@uqam.ca, and/or christian.seiler@queensu.ca; include in your email:
- a letter of interest;
- resume/CV describing your skills and education;
- university transcripts;
- names of three referees;
- Applicants are asked to indicate whether they are Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or will require a study permit to pursue the position.
Please also feel free to reach out to any of the 3 PIs with any questions!
Applications will be reviewed as received and positions will remain open until they are filled.