PhD Opportunities in Microbial Ecology and Genomics within the Altered Lakes Transformed Roles (ALTR) Network
We are seeking to recruit highly motivated PhD students to investigate the impact of human activities (e.g. agriculture and urban development) on microbial communities inhabiting freshwater lakes. The PhD positions provide exceptional opportunities to conduct large-scale molecular ecology research and offer comprehensive student training in microbial ecology and evolution, genomics, and environmental science. Given that the PhD projects are part of the larger ALTR research network, numerous collaborative opportunities also exist with academic and government research scientists across scientific disciplines. Available PhD projects include:
Project 1 (PhD): Assessing human impacts on microbial communities in Canadian lakes using metagenomic approaches. In this project, the student will develop and employ advanced metagenomic approaches to investigate the structure and function of microbial communities in lakes across different land use gradients. This project will focus on bacteria and archaea, as well as the viruses that infect them. Metagenomic datasets will be explored in the context of a variety of environmental stressors with an aim of making recommendations on the use of microbial indicators for monitoring lake health status. The supervisors are Dr. David Walsh (Concordia University) and Dr. Ann Gregory (University of Calgary).
Project 2 (PhD): Assessing protist community responses to human impacts within lakes using metagenomic and gene expression approaches. In this project, the student will develop and employ molecular genetic approaches to characterize freshwater protist diversity in lakes across different land use gradients. This project will focus on metabolic strategies within protist communities (photosynthesis, predation, and mixotrophy) and how they are influenced by environmental conditions and human land use. The supervisors are Dr. David Walsh (Concordia University) and Dr. Beatrix Beisner (University of Quebec at Montreal).
Applicants should be team-oriented but also have the ability to work independently, have strong oral/written communication skills, and have demonstrated a strong potential for research excellence. Applicants should also have an interest and/or background in microbiology, limnology, aquatic ecology and/or genomics. Experience in statistical analysis, bioinformatics, and computer programming are also strong assets.
The expected project start date is January 2027, but start date is flexible. Interested applicants are encouraged to contact David Walsh at the email below for further information. To apply, please send a short cover letter, CV, and unofficial transcripts to [email protected].
We are seeking to recruit highly motivated PhD students to investigate the impact of human activities (e.g. agriculture and urban development) on microbial communities inhabiting freshwater lakes. The PhD positions provide exceptional opportunities to conduct large-scale molecular ecology research and offer comprehensive student training in microbial ecology and evolution, genomics, and environmental science. Given that the PhD projects are part of the larger ALTR research network, numerous collaborative opportunities also exist with academic and government research scientists across scientific disciplines. Available PhD projects include:
Project 1 (PhD): Assessing human impacts on microbial communities in Canadian lakes using metagenomic approaches. In this project, the student will develop and employ advanced metagenomic approaches to investigate the structure and function of microbial communities in lakes across different land use gradients. This project will focus on bacteria and archaea, as well as the viruses that infect them. Metagenomic datasets will be explored in the context of a variety of environmental stressors with an aim of making recommendations on the use of microbial indicators for monitoring lake health status. The supervisors are Dr. David Walsh (Concordia University) and Dr. Ann Gregory (University of Calgary).
Project 2 (PhD): Assessing protist community responses to human impacts within lakes using metagenomic and gene expression approaches. In this project, the student will develop and employ molecular genetic approaches to characterize freshwater protist diversity in lakes across different land use gradients. This project will focus on metabolic strategies within protist communities (photosynthesis, predation, and mixotrophy) and how they are influenced by environmental conditions and human land use. The supervisors are Dr. David Walsh (Concordia University) and Dr. Beatrix Beisner (University of Quebec at Montreal).
Applicants should be team-oriented but also have the ability to work independently, have strong oral/written communication skills, and have demonstrated a strong potential for research excellence. Applicants should also have an interest and/or background in microbiology, limnology, aquatic ecology and/or genomics. Experience in statistical analysis, bioinformatics, and computer programming are also strong assets.
The expected project start date is January 2027, but start date is flexible. Interested applicants are encouraged to contact David Walsh at the email below for further information. To apply, please send a short cover letter, CV, and unofficial transcripts to [email protected].
