Description

The Freshwater ecology, Indigenous Science, and Climate Solutions (FICS) Lab at the University of British Columbia invites applications for M.S. and Ph.D. research positions that will commence in September 2026. Graduate students will be supervised by Dr. Kimberly Yazzie in the Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences in the Faculty of Forestry at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Point Grey campus. FICS is an interdisciplinary lab conducting research in freshwater systems and co-developing climate solutions across sectors through community engagement.

 Successful thesis-based applicants will have the opportunity to co-develop research questions with collaborators on research topics related to:

• Characterizing the disturbance regimes and ecological processes that influence large wood functions in British Columbia. Collaborate with community actors and employ geospatial data and applications to quantify riparian and instream habitat.
• Assessing ecosystem resilience and the impacts of land stewardship and land use on habitat mosaics and salmon in freshwater systems. Engage across sectors to characterize co-management or land stewardship scenarios.

Projects may be adapted to include flume experiments of in-channel habitat dynamics or to assess water and energy security in a transboundary river basin.

Graduate student responsibilities:

• Co-develop research questions and projects in consultation with advisors and community collaborators.
• Support and conduct instream fieldwork and community engagement, where appropriate.
• Collect, map, and analyze geospatial data and field measurements, and develop ecosystem models.
• Train in community engagement protocols.

Applications from Canadian and International students are welcome and will be reviewed until the positions are filled. Graduate students will be funded by internal (e.g., research and teaching assistantships, scholarships) and external funding (e.g., NSERC). Please note that graduate school applications for thesis-based programs in the Faculty of Forestry are due February 1, 2026 for a start in September. Interested Ph.D. applicants will be supported to apply for a Four-Year Dissertation Fellowship due February 1, 2026. More information on graduate program requirements and funding opportunities can be found here and here (see links below). 

https://forestry.ubc.ca/future-students/graduate/ 

https://forestry.ubc.ca/students/graduate-student-portal/financial-support/

Requirements

Requirement: Undergraduate degree

Application materials:

a) Cover letter outlining your research interests and career goals (approx. 250 words, half-page); 

b) CV or resume; and

c) Contact information for two references. 

Please email inquiries and applications materials with the subject line: “Graduate student position in FICS at UBC.”