Current openings: 2 year Postdoctoral fellowship, several 4 year doctoral fellowships … read more below.
You have finished you Master’s with excellent outcome and are now looking for a PhD opportunity?
Your research interests are in line with the overall research pursued at FRESH, but you cant find the ideal position here?
Then don’t hesitate to email us your CV and research statement, as there are frequent new openings at the PhD level.
Applications are invited for 4-year doctoral fellowship with the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, Department of Forest Resources Management, Faculty of Forestry in co-supervision with Natural Resources Canada- Canadian Forest Service.
We are seeking a high achieving candidate with training and experience in natural resource economics (preference for forestry, and forest pests and diseases), economic modeling and economic impact analysis. Applicants must have a master’s degree in a related field, such as forestry, forest economics, natural resources management, etc.
The project
The world’s forests are facing unprecedented threats from invasive alien insects and pathogens that cause significant and irreversible damage to the environment, and threaten Canada’s capacity to provide ecosystem services and a long-term fibre supply. The project bioSAFE the work of the successful applicant will be part of is addressing this by developing powerful genomic-based tools to detect, identify, and eliminate those threats before they become established. At UBC we are developing a decision support system (DSS) to inform decision makers and stakeholders of the economic and ecologic consequences that a variety of mitigation alternatives will have. Partnering with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Natural Resources Canada, Université Laval, and Forest Product Innovations, this project uses provincial and federal data to address the research questions.
The successful applicant’s main role will be to gather and analyse data to model the economic impacts of specified pests/pathogens at different spatial scales, different timelines, under different climate change scenarios as well as under various mitigation alternative. The outcome of this work will primarily feed into the decision-support tool for risk assessment to inform invasive forest pests and pathogens mitigation.
What we expect
- Recent completion of a master’s degree (no longer than 3 years at the time of application) in forest economics, natural resources with a focus in economics, or other related field(s); or the applicant will have graduated by January 2018;
- Strong analytical skills and experience with economic analyses of forest and/or other land issues (experience in the Canadian context is preferred);
- Experience with the application of economic models to address policy questions;
- Ability to develop economic models and undertake detailed quantitative analyses;
- Excellent written and verbal communications skills. The working language is English and fluency (written/spoken) is expected;
- Ability to work independently and in a team, with team members in different locations
Additionally, applicants are required to meet UBC admission requirements outlined here http://www.forestry.ubc.ca/students/graduate/programs/doctor-of-philosophy/phd-admission-requirements/
The expected starting date for this position is January 2018 with the candidates PhD program starting September 2018.
What we offer
We offer the successful candidate a 4-year scholarship to pursue excellent research with the University of British Columbia (UBC) in close collaboration with Natural Resources Canada – Canadian Forest Service (NRCan-CFS). The project offers the unique opportunity to work on a large-scale national research project with other project partners, such as Université Laval and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
The successful applicant will work at UBC one of the top research universities globally, with an international group of young researchers in one of the most modern labs within the faculty, where we give bold thinking a place to develop into ideas that can change the world. The university is located in Vancouver, which is considered to be one of the most desirable places in the world to live in and a beautiful city that provides an incredible background for your research.
How to apply
If you are interested in this opportunity, please email the following in one single PDF file to the contact indicated below.
- A cover letter describing your motivation to apply for this position
- Current CV, including transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you have attended (in official copies are sufficient at this stage),
- A short description that separately and clearly identifies how you possess each of the skills and experiences listed above in the “What we expect” section
- Names and current contact information for three references familiar with your work
- Any additional material you may want to share.
The deadline for this opening has passed.
Please direct inquiries and applications by email to:
Ms. Chelsea Nilausen, Economist – Canadian Forest Service Natural Resources Canada
Please indicate in your application if you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada All qualified persons are encouraged to apply. However, Canadian citizens and permanent residents in Canada will be given priority. UBC hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We especially welcome applications from members of visible minority groups, women, Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, and others with the skills and knowledge to engage productively with diverse communities.
For more details, about the project visit https://fresh.forestry.ubc.ca/2017/05/about-the-project/
For details about the working group visit: https://fresh.forestry.ubc.ca/
Applications are invited for a 2 year postdoctoral (PostDoc) position with FRESH
Department of Forest Resources Management, Faculty of Forestry at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada (posted May 17th 2017)
We are looking for a high achieving young scholar with a background in natural resources management, whose research will be guided by the question:
“How to guide decision makers in choosing optimum mitigation strategies to fight forest invasive alien species infestations”
The successful candidate will play a leading role in the development of an IT based tool to aid decision makers with respect to selecting optimum mitigation strategies following infestations with forest invasive pests and pathogens.
For more details, go to “About the project”
What we expect:
Applicants must hold a PhD (obtained no later than 4 years ago at time of application) in a related field, such as forestry, forest economic, natural resources management etc. The success full candidate will have an outstanding proven ability to undertake detailed quantitative analyses.
Responsibilities will include applying, validating and developing optimization and decision support software in forest management at municipal, regional and provincial scales, as well as developing new superior approaches to get to a flexible integrated data management.
Working experience with forest DSS (such as Woodstock, Patchworks, FPS Atlas or others), as well as profound knowledge of mathematical optimization approaches are a must. Solid knowledge of Python, GAMS, R, ArcGIS and other tools commonly used in the field is a plus. Strong analytical skills as well as strong skills related to the development of written research outputs, reports and/ or strategy documents are expected.
The successful candidate should be comfortable presenting research findings to a diverse number of audiences, both internally as well as externally and have the ability to work independently and in a team setting involving team members in different locations.
What we offer:
We offer the successful candidate a full time 2 year postdoctoral position with the possibility of extension* at a minimum stipend of C$55,000 annually before tax, including benefits.
We offer an outstanding opportunity to pursue excellent research at UBC, one of the top research universities globally, working with an international group of young researchers in one of the most modern labs within the faculty, where we give bold thinking a place to develop into ideas that can change the world. The university is located in Vancouver, which is considered to be one of the most desirable places in the world to live in and a beautiful city that provides an incredible background for your research.
* subject to performance and availability of funds
How to apply:
Your application should include the following in a single PDF file:
- a letter of intent describing your motivation to apply for this specific posting, your career goals, as well as a short description that separately and clearly addresses how you possess each of the skills and experiences listed above (“what we expect“),
- your current CV,
- transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you have attended,
- a sample of your scientific writing (a published paper, report, manuscript, conference proceeding), and
- names and contact information of three references familiar with your work.
Please indicate in your application if you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada All qualified persons are encouraged to apply. However, Canadian citizens and permanent residents in Canada will be given priority. UBC hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We especially welcome applications from members of visible minority groups, women, Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, and others with the skills and knowledge to engage productively with diverse communities.
The deadline for this opening has passed.
Please direct inquires and applications by email to
Dr. Verena Griess
Asst. Professor, Forest Resources Management
Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia
verena.griess@ubc.ca
Applications are invited for a 4 year doctoral fellowship (PhD) in the working group of Dr. Verena Griess,
Department of Forest Resources Management, Faculty of Forestry at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada (posted December 12th 2016)
We are looking for a high achieving candidate whose research will be guided by the question:
“How to aid forest management decision makers in a field of increasing complexity?”
The area of research:
Applying and validating optimization tools and decision support software in forest management as well as developing new superior optimization algorithms or approaches to get to a flexible integrated data management strategy will be part of the research of the successful candidate. The successful candidate will work on a selection of real world problems, aiming at a high level of applicability.
What we expect:
Applicants must have a first class standing in each of their last 2 years of study to be considered (GPA 85% or above) and hold a post-graduate degree (Master’s) from a related field (forestry, forest management, forest economics, natural resources management, and others). A background or strong interest in computer sciences and/ or mathematical modelling (including knowledge in or interest to learn languages like Python and others) is a must.
Strong proven analytical skills as well as strong skills related to application and development of modeling software is essential. Knowledge and experience using GIS applications, as well as working knowledge of at least one optimization or decision support software used in forest management planning is a plus.
Evidence in authoring scientific output (e.g. a published paper and/or a manuscript submitted to a peer reviewed journal) is a plus.
The working language is English and fluency (written/ spoken) is expected.
Starting date for this position is September 2017.
What we offer:
We offer the successful candidate a full 4 year scholarship to pursue excellent research at UBC, one of the top research universities globally, working with an international group of young researchers in one of the most modern labs within the faculty, where we give bold thinking a place to develop into ideas that can change the world.
The University is located in Vancouver, which is considered to be one of the most desirable places in the world to live in and a beautiful city that provides an incredible background for your research.
How to apply:
If you are interested in this opportunity please email to us a) a letter describing your motivation to pursue an academic career in the area of forest management, b) your current CV, c) your transcripts of records of your last 2 years of full time studies, d) any additional material in one single PDF file by March 15, 2017
The deadline for this opening has passed.
Applications are invited for a 2 year Postdoctoral Fellowship (PostDoc) in the working group of Dr. VerenaC Griess, Department of Forest Resources Management, Faculty of Forestry at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada with co-supervision in the Liu Institute for Global Issues (UBC) (posted November 2016)
We are looking for a high achieving candidate with training and experience in economics and policy analysis.
The project
Our Team is working on a project funded by the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (http://pics.uvic.ca/) examining the potential contribution of the forest sector to greenhouse gas reductions in the province of British Columbia, Canada. Now in the third of five years, the project will design, evaluate and recommend potential climate change mitigation portfolios to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase sinks through forest management, forest conservation and the use of harvested wood that stores carbon and can displace more emissions-intensive products and fuels. To do this the project is evaluating impacts on greenhouse gas balances, the cost of mitigation activities and other socioeconomic indicators. Significant effort is being devoted to engaging stakeholders. The project team includes experts from academia, the provincial government and the Canadian federal government.
The successful candidate will play a key role in further developing the economic analysis of mitigation options integrated with forest carbon modeling, as well as economic modeling analyses of alternative policy options aimed at achieving mitigation outcomes. The candidate will also contribute to developing and maintaining a dialogue with stakeholders about mitigation options.
Major duties
- Gather and improve information on costs and benefits relevant to economic evaluation of specific mitigation strategies involving forests, the use of harvested wood and displacement of more emissions-intensive products.
- Apply and improve sound methods and models to combine spatial information on the biophysical impacts of mitigation strategies with economic information in order to determine the mitigation cost of strategies (marginal abatement cost curves).
- Apply and improve sound methods and models to assess other socio-economic indicators of the effects of strategies including employment and provincial government revenues.
- Contribute substantively to the development and application of methods and models to assess the economic implications of alternative policy options for implementing the mitigation strategies analyzed.
- Contribute to Team discussions about defining and analyzing mitigation strategies and policy options.
- Contribute to dialogues with stakeholders about mitigation strategies and policy options based on the economic results obtained.
- Present results to the Team, BC government, stakeholders and others as needed.
- Write documents describing data, approaches and results for multiple audiences, and participate in the writing of project summary documents and peer-reviewed publications.
What we expect
- Recently (no later than 3 years ago) obtained a Ph.D. in economics, forest economics or other related field(s), or will have graduated by December 2016.
- Experience with analysis of forest or other land management approaches and issues (experience in the Canadian context preferred).
- Experience in the economic analysis of forest or other land issues (experience in the Canadian context preferred).
- Experience with the application of economic models to address policy questions.
- Knowledge of policy issues related to forests and climate change in Canada is desirable.
- Ability to undertake detailed quantitative analyses.
- Good written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and in a team setting involving team members in different locations.
What we offer
We offer the successful candidate a full 2 year contract with the possibility of extension* to pursue excellent research at UBC. A competitive salary and benefit package will be offered, commensurate with experience.
UBC is one of the top research universities globally, where you will be working with an international group of young researchers in one of the most modern labs within the faculty, where we give bold thinking a place to develop into ideas that can change the world. The University is located in Vancouver, which is considered to be one of the most desirable places in the world to live in and a beautiful city that provides an incredible background for your research.
How to apply
If you are interested in this opportunity please email the following to us in one single PDF file by midnight Pacific Standard Time December 15th 2016:
a) a letter describing your motivation to apply for this specific posting,
b) your current CV,
c) a short description that separately and clearly addresses how you possess each of the skills and experiences listed above (“what we expect“),
d) names and contact information of three references familiar with your work.
e) any additional material you may want to share.
*subject to performance and availability of funds
UBC hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We especially welcome applications from visible minority group members, women, Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, and others with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities.
The deadline for this opening has passed.
Senior undergraduate students from Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and Tunisia
Apply for one of three 12-week research internships at FRESH
The 3 Globalink Research Internship with FRESH each offer a 12-week research project for high-achieving senior undergraduates from Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and Tunisia. Starting May 2017, approved students travel to Canada, where they work with a faculty supervisor and other researchers at their host universities.
Interns receive: Stipend for living expenses, Professional development workshops and Local Globalink Mentor
The student call for applications for Globalink Research Internships is now open. The deadline to apply is September 20, 2016, at 4:00 PM Pacific Daylight Time (PDT).
To apply for one of the three projects with FRESH, go to https://globalink.mitacs.ca/gri/index.html#, click ‘Projects’ at the top of the page. A page will open that lists all MITACS gliobalink projects. Filter the list using the keyword ‘forest’ and chose ‘University of Bristish Columbia – Vancouver’ as shown in the picture below. You will get a total of 11 results, 3 of which are located at FRESH:
– Gamification in higher education: A board game to teach forest estate modelling
– Assessment of deer browsing damage in Western redcedar seedlings
– Lets try this in Python! Developing decision support tools for forest managers
We are looking forward to welcoming you at FRESH in summer 2017
The deadline for this opening has passed.
Applications are invited for a 4 year doctoral fellowship (PhD) in the working group of Dr. Verena Griess,
Department of Forest Resources Management, Faculty of Forestry at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada (posted June 8th 2016)
We are looking for a high achieving candidate whose research will be guided by the question:
“How to successfully transition from clear-cut to close-to-nature forest management, while simultaneously ensuring a vital sawmilling industry.”
The project
The successful candidate will work in close collaboration with our project partner, a First Nation’s community in the Yukon, on developing an integrated forest management strategy to transition towards close-to-nature forestry. This activity will form the basis to understand what transitioning to alternative management practices will mean regarding the provision of timber, the characteristics of the timber produced, as well as the implications for the provision of other goods and services, such as wildlife habitat or native heritage values as expressed by the community partner.
The successful candidate will identify specific management goals, as well as appropriate harvesting and management techniques representing the expressed goals of the partnering community.
Forest inventory data, growth and yield data, and harvest level data will be acquired to create a baseline forest resource maps using the according software tools, such as ArcGIS. Some of the data available may be out-dated or lacking detail. Accordingly ground truthing of available data will have to be carried out. Additionally, she/he will look into the possibility of using LiDar data to enhance overall data quality. Based on intensive interactions with the community partner forest management scenarios will have to be developed and analyzed using according software tools, such as FPS-Atlas, Woodstock, Patchworks etc.
Our ideal candidate has successfully completed a Masters degree in Forestry. She/ he has proven working knowledge of ArcGIS, at least one Forest Modelling software tool, is self-motivated, reliable and interested in working with a First Nation’s community. The project requires frequent trips to the Yukon. The ability to work in remote areas on rough terrain as well as physical fitness is a must. The successful candidate must have proven ability to orient him/herself in the field using compass and map.
The deadline for this opening has passed.
Applications are invited for a 4 year doctoral fellowship (PhD) in the working group of Dr. Verena Griess,
Department of Forest Resources Management, Faculty of Forestry at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada (posted April 2016)
We are looking for a high achieving candidate whose research will be guided by the question:
“How to aid forest management decision makers in a field of increasing complexity?”
The area of research:
Applying and validating optimization tools and decision support software in forest management as well as developing new superior optimization algorithms or approaches to get to a flexible integrated data management strategy will be part of the research of the successful candidate. The successful candidate will work on a selection of real world problems, aiming at a high level of applicability.
What we expect:
Applicants must have a first class standing in each of their last 2 years of study to be considered (GPA 85% or above) and hold a post-graduate degree (Master’s) from a related field (forestry, forest management, forest economics, natural resources management, and others). A background or strong interest in computer sciences and/ or mathematical modelling (including knowledge in or interest to learn languages like Python and others) is a must.
Strong proven analytical skills as well as strong skills related to application and development of modeling software is essential. Knowledge and experience using GIS applications, as well as working knowledge of at least one optimization or decision support software used in forest management planning is a plus.
Evidence in authoring scientific output (e.g. a published paper and/or a manuscript submitted to a peer reviewed journal) is a plus.
The working language is English and fluency (written/ spoken) is expected.
What we offer:
We offer the successful candidate a full 4 year scholarship to pursue excellent research at UBC, one of the top research universities globally, working with an international group of young researchers in one of the most modern labs within the faculty, where we give bold thinking a place to develop into ideas that can change the world.
The University is located in Vancouver, which is considered to be one of the most desirable places in the world to live in and a beautiful city that provides an incredible background for your research.
How to apply:
The deadline for this opening has passed. Please come back for other openings throughout the year.
Applicable to all ads on this website:
UBC hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We especially welcome applications from visible minority group members, women, Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, and others with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities.