I am recruiting a PhD student to join my research group at the University of Lethbridge for a funded project examining mountain thermal regimes, ground temperature variability, vegetation structure, and climate-change refugia in cold-region mountain environments. The preferred start date is January 2027, although a September 2027 start may also be considered.

The student will be based in the Department of Geography & Environment at the University of Lethbridge, most likely through the PhD program in Geography, with possible alignment with Environmental Science depending on the student’s background and interests.

Project overview

The PhD project will examine how ground thermal regimes are structured by interactions among surface-based temperature inversions, snow cover, vegetation, topography, and climate warming. The primary field system will be located along the Dempster Highway corridor in Yukon, where my research group maintains a long-term network of air temperature stations and ground temperature nodes across strong gradients in elevation, vegetation, snow, and inversion influence. A comparative mountain component in the Canadian Rockies may also be included.

The project will be field-based and hypothesis-driven, while also involving quantitative modelling, spatial analysis, and environmental sensor data analysis. The successful student will work with existing long-term datasets and will help develop new observations related to vegetation structure, near-surface microclimate, snow, and shallow ground thermal conditions.

A possible working title is:

Mountain Thermal Regimes and Ecological Refugia: Linking Ground Temperature, Vegetation, and Climate Sensitivity from Yukon to the Canadian Rockies

The project may address questions such as:

1. How do surface-based inversions, snow cover, vegetation, and topography create distinct ground thermal regimes in Yukon mountain valleys?
2. Do winter and summer ground thermal regimes correspond to vegetation structure, plant functional types, or potential ecological thermal niches?
3. Which ground thermal regimes are most likely to persist as climate refugia under future warming?

Funding

The student will receive a supervisor-funded stipend of approximately $10,000/year for four years, representing a committed supervisor contribution of approximately $40,000 over the PhD program.

The student will also be expected to apply for Graduate Assistantships, internal scholarships, and external doctoral awards. At the University of Lethbridge, a full Graduate Assistantship is currently valued at approximately $3,600 per semester, or $7,200/year if held in both Fall and Winter terms. If secured annually, this would provide approximately $28,800 over four years.

Based on this structure, the anticipated base funding package would be approximately:

• Supervisor-funded stipend: $10,000/year × 4 years = $40,000
• Potential Fall/Winter Graduate Assistantship support: $7,200/year × 4 years = $28,800
• Estimated base package if annual GA support is secured: approximately $68,800 over four years

A major goal will be to support the successful applicant in applying for external doctoral funding, particularly NSERC doctoral funding where eligible. The current Canada Graduate Research Scholarship–Doctoral program is valued at $40,000/year for 36 months, which would substantially increase the student’s funding package if successful. Strong Canadian and permanent-resident applicants will therefore be especially competitive for this opportunity.

Additional University of Lethbridge internal awards may also be available, including the PhD Admission Scholarship and other competitive graduate scholarships, subject to eligibility and adjudication.

Desired student background

The ideal candidate will have a background in physical geography, environmental science, climatology, permafrost science, plant ecology, snow science, GIS/remote sensing, or environmental data analysis. Experience with fieldwork, environmental sensors, R, Python, GIS, or remote sensing would be considered an asset.

Eligibility and application process

Priority will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, particularly those who are eligible to apply for NSERC doctoral funding. Strong applicants from the United States, Europe, and elsewhere will also be considered.

Interested applicants should send the following by email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.):

1. A brief statement of research interest and fit with the project;
2. A current CV;
3. Unofficial transcripts;
4. Contact information for two academic or research references;
5. An example of written work, if available.

I will begin reviewing expressions of interest immediately and will accept applications until August 31, 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted directly after that date to discuss the project, funding structure, and formal application process through the University of Lethbridge.

Best regards,

Dr. Philip P. Bonnaventure 

Associate Professor of Physical Geography

Bonnaventure Lab for Permafrost Science 

Department of Geography and Environment 

University of Lethbridge 

4401 University Drive W

Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, T1K 3M4

Office: Alberta Water & Environmental

Science Building, Room WE2052

Phone: +1.403.317.5028

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.