Want to join our lab?
We have THREE open postdoctoral positions (updated April 17, 2023)
Position #1: Remediation of radioactive strontium-contaminated wetlands
Posting date: March 21, 2023
Apply by: June 1, 2023 (open until filled)
Lab: Professor Elodie PASSEPORT’s lab, University of Toronto
Collaborator: Canadian Nuclear Labs at Chalk River, ON
Duration: two years
Requirements
– Valid driving license in Ontario (or ability to get it immediately): Make a note in your cover letter/email to confirm that you can drive in Ontario.
– Excellent oral and written English communication skills
– Ability to work independently and follow the highest standards of lab safety practices
– Training in one or more of the following areas: contaminant transport fate, environmental engineering, chemistry, hydrology
Desirable additional qualifications
– Experience setting up batch or soil column experiments in the lab
– Experience in modelling and statistical data analysis
Project description
Strontium-90 (90Sr) has a high mobility and a half-life of 28.8 years. It can be easily transported to/from groundwater to/from surface water. We are interested in identifying hydrological and biogeochemical conditions that could help remediate 90Sr-contaminated wetlands.
Our previous work identified the characteristics of natural organic matter and selected exogenous substrates that controlled the adsorption and desorption potential of 90Sr in wetlands (Boyer et al. 2018, Water Research). We also showed how different hydrologic regimes affect the transport of 90Sr at field scale (Boyer et al. 2018, ES&T).
In this project, the postdoctoral fellow will conduct laboratory experiments at the Chalk River labs to quantify the sorption capacity of the wetland sediments. The postdoctoral fellow will also conduct continuous-flow experiments to evaluate hydrological regimes that can support the controlled release of 90Sr, and propose strategies for the downstream capture of 90Sr. The postdoctoral fellow will also contribute to the development of a reactive transport model for 90Sr at the wetland sediment – water interface.
Application documents
– a cover letter,
– CV with a complete list of publications,
– the name and contact information of at least two academic references
– a statement confirming ability to drive in Ontario.
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
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Position #2: Tracking the fate of N-containing organic chemicals in surface water using Compound Specific Isotope Analysis (CSIA)
Posting date: April 17, 2023
Apply by: June 1, 2023 (open until filled)
Lab: Professor Elodie PASSEPORT’s lab, University of Toronto
Collaborator: Chemical company
Duration: one year, with potential extension depending on funding availability and performance
Requirements
– Excellent oral and written English communication skills
– Ability to work independently and follow the highest standards of lab safety practices
– Training in one or more of the following areas: contaminant transport fate, environmental engineering, chemistry, hydrology
– Experience using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, HPLC/UV, and/or LC/MS
– Experience with handling, preparation, and purification of samples for analysis of organic chemicals
Desirable additional qualifications
– Experience using isotope ratio mass spectrometry
– Experience in statistical data analysis
Project description
Compound Specific Isotope Analysis (CSIA) has shown tremendous potential to track the fate of contaminants in the environment. We have developed methods for CSIA of benzotriazole, a corrosion-inhibitor, and substituted chlorobenzenes, used in the manufacturing of various chemicals. The postdoctoral fellow will design and conduct experiments to quantify the extent of isotope fractionation during abiotic and biotic transformation of these chemicals in surface water environments. Field experiments can also be conducted, and samples from a contaminated area will be extracted and analyzed for stable C, H, and N isotopes.
Application documents
Interested candidates should contact Prof. Passeport at elodie.passeport@utoronto.ca with
– CV including complete list of publications
– The name and contact information of at least two academic references
– A cover letter describing your interest for the position and qualifications
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
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Position #3: Adaptive Management of Green Stormwater Infrastructure to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Urban Watersheds
Posting date: April 24, 2023
Apply by: June 1, 2023 (open until filled)
Lab: Professor Elodie PASSEPORT’s lab, University of Toronto
Collaborators: The PDFs and students will work closely together within a highly interdisciplinary team of researchers from University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University, University of Toronto and University of Guelph. The research team will regularly interact with scientists, practitioners, decision-makers, and public participants from stakeholder organizations, including Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), City of Kitchener, Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA), Muslim Families, and Crozier & Associates Consulting Engineers.
Duration: two years
This postdoctoral position is part of a collaborative Postdoctoral, PhD and MSc Positions in Adaptive Management of Green Stormwater Infrastructure to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Urban Watersheds
We invite applications for two postdoctoral fellow (PDF), five PhD and two MSc positions to participate in a collaborative research project to assemble and propose solution options for urban green stormwater management (SWM) infrastructure that optimize the reduction of greenhouse gases (GHGs; CO2, CH4, and N2O). The project aims to quantify the landscape-scale drivers and processes within stormwater ponds (SWPs) and bioretention systems (BRSs) that control GHG exchanges. The resulting knowledge will be integrated into robust representations of SWPs and BRSs in coupled hydrology-biogeochemistry models to analyze the responses of urban GHG emissions and nutrients export to the implementation and management of green SWM infrastructure.
The main supervisor for each position is listed in parentheses; however, each position will have an interdisciplinary supervisory team consisting of multiple project team members.
Instructions for applying can be found below.
PDF-1 will use statistical predictors including land use/land cover, climate variables, event characteristics, and system design to identify drivers of GHG emissions from green SWM infrastructure. (Elodie Passeport, University of Toronto)
PDF-2 will use biogeochemical modeling to predict GHG emissions from green SWM systems and propose solution options for municipal and regional climate action. (Philippe Van Cappellen, University of Waterloo)
PhD-1 will quantify GHG emissions from green SWM infrastructure using existing GHG emission data plus field monitoring of GHG fluxes at SWP and BRS sites with fixed and floating chambers. (Fereidoun Rezanezhad, University of Waterloo)
PhD-2 will focus on processes controlling the organic and inorganic carbon cycles in SWM systems to identify external and internal sources and sequestration pathways for GHG emission reduction. (Scott Smith, Wilfrid Laurier University)
PhD-3 will generate mass balances of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus in SWM infrastructure to assess trade-offs between GHG reduction and water quality protection. (Philippe Van Cappellen, University of Waterloo)
PhD-4 will analyze management scenarios with variable SWM configurations and hydroclimatic conditions in urban watersheds to optimize the reduction of GHG emissions at the watershed scale. (Andrea Brookfield, University of Waterloo)
PhD-5 will test the full-scale feasibility of geochemical interventions in SWPs and BRSs that increase carbon sequestration in green SWM infrastructure. (Bahram Gharabaghi, University of Guelph)
MSc-1 will determine the rates of carbon sequestration in green SWM systems with the focus on CO2 saturation and carbonate mineral sequestration potential. (Fereidoun Rezanezhad, University of Waterloo)
MSc-2 will analyze the vulnerability of GHG emissions from SWM infrastructure to changes in urban watershed hydrology including more extreme flooding and drought events. (Andrea Brookfield, University of Waterloo)
Applicants must have (or expect to soon complete) a degree relevant to the position applied for. Preference will be given to candidates with strong quantitative skills and demonstrated experience in one or more of the following or closely related areas: biogeochemistry, aquatic chemistry, hydrology, soil science, and environmental modeling and risk assessment. There will be flexibility in locations of the positions. Exceptional candidates who prefer to undertake a Master’s degree in one of the PhD topics above will be considered.
Please submit your application package electronically as a single pdf file to Anita Ghosh (a9ghosh@uwaterloo.ca) and cc’ Professor Elodie PASSEPORT at elodie.passeport@utoronto.ca for PDF#1 position. In your email, include “Missions_yourname” in the subject line. Your applications should contain:
– Which PDF, PhD-# or MSc-# position(s) you wish to be considered for
– A letter explaining your motivation to apply
– Curriculum vitae
– Copy of transcripts (unofficial transcripts will be accepted at the application stage)
Closing date: Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Preference will be given to applications submitted before June 1, 2023.
We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.
The partnering universities in this project are committed to implementing the Calls to Action framed by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We regard equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) as an integral part of academic excellence. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities.
If you have any questions regarding the application process, eligibility, or a request for accommodation during the selection process, please contact a9ghosh@uwaterloo.ca.
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Graduate Students
If you are potentially interested in a Master or PhD position in our lab, you first need to apply to the graduate program of either of the following two departments: Civil & Mineral Engineering or Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry. Please, mention my name in your statement of intent.
Undergraduate Students
Undergrads are always welcome to join and participate in several aspects of our on-going research! If you are interested, please, send me an email and a copy of your CV and transcripts.
Fellowships / Scholarships you could consider applying to:
Whether you are a Canadian or International student or postdoc, there exist several sources of external fundings that you could apply to in order to join our lab, e.g.:
NSERC
Government of Canada
Marie Curie
Schulmberger Foundation