MSc or PhD position studying plant elevational range shifts in Canada

​

​

​

​

​

​​

​

​​

​

Click here for a downloadable PDF version of the ad

 

We are looking for a student to start in Jan 2027 at McGill University (Montreal, Canada) as part of a 4-yr project “Why are range shifts of mountain plants not keeping up with climate change?”.

 

The project is a collaboration between Prof Anna Hargreaves (McGill) and Prof Jake Alexander (ETH), funded by the SNSF. This student will be supervised by Prof Hargreaves, based out of McGill, with summer fieldwork in the Rocky Mountains of southern Alberta.

​

The Project:

Upward elevational range shifts are one of the most commonly documented responses to climate change. However, range shifts of most plant species are failing to keep pace with the rate of climate change, and we still lack the ability to predict which plants will shift their ranges successfully, largely due to a lack of systematically-collected data on the processes that govern range shifts.  This hinders our ability to forecast which management practices might aid shifts of valued species or delay shifts of problem species.

​

The student will gather detailed data on key processes that govern plant range shifts, particularly competition and seed dispersal, for a suite of plant species in the Kananaskis region of the Rocky Mountains. The project will use a combination of observational surveys (lots of hiking up and down mountains), detailed multi-year field experiments, and participation in (and helping co-ordinate) an international distributed experiment via the MIREN network. 

​

The student will be part of a collaborative team spanning the Hargreaves and Alexander labs. Work will be conducted in parallel with a sister study in the Swiss Alps (a similar position is being advertised at the PhD level at ETH – see https://plantecology-alexander.ethz.ch/. Students are welcome to apply to both if they are interested in working in either country, but the application processes are separate). Each student thesis stands alone, but the projects will be coordinated together and some data may be published collaboratively. There will be regular team meetings to coordinate the project, and the possibility of research exchanges between the two labs.  

​

Within the overall structure of the project, there is a lot of room for the student to bring their own ideas, e.g. which and how many species to focus on. Student will coordinate their own fieldwork and project logistics, and supervise field assistants.

​

Finances:

The student will receive a stipend ~ $5K above the guaranteed stipend in McGill Biology, plus sufficient funds to cover their tuition. The exact amount depends on whether the student pursues an MSc or PhD.  Students entering with an MSc in Ecology or equivalent are required to start at the PhD level. Students entering without an MSc are required to start at the MSc level, but may have the option of transitioning to a PhD depending on their progress in the first 1.5 years. Students will also be expected to apply for scholarships for which they are eligible.

​

The Student

We are looking for candidates who are enthusiastic about plant ecology, are intellectually curious about testing ecological hypotheses, enjoy being outdoors, can organize complex logistics, and can work happily and effectively in a team and independently. Students should have a background in ecology or related field. We are committed to diversity and inclusion and we welcome applications from students with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. International students are welcome to apply, but can only apply at the doctoral level and acceptance would be contingent on the student receiving an international tuition fee waiver from McGill.

 

As with any field-based MSc/PhD in plant ecology, this project will require:

• Self-motivation and resilience

• Ability to manage time effectively

• Enthusiasm for fieldwork (e.g. many long days working outdoors for 3+ months/year)

• Plant identification

• Extensive data analysis in R

• Familiarity with relevant theory and literature in ecology, and ability to place your project and results in the context of existing theory

• Ability to write efficiently and effectively

• Logistical management (e.g. applying for permits, coordinating collaborations)

• A driver’s license and experience driving on remote gravel roads

• Professionalism, collegiality, and academic integrity

 

NOTE: You do not need to have all of the skills on applying, but you will need to develop any that you are missing.

​

To apply:

Please provide the following information, compiled into a single PDF of <2MB:

• cover letter (1-2 pages)

• your CV (2-4 pages)

• your transcripts (scans of official transcripts are fine)

• contact information for 2 references

Name the PDF with your last name and the level of position (MSc or PhD) you are applying for (e.g. Hargreaves_PhD). Email this PDF to grad.position.plant.ranges@gmail.com by Sept 1.

 

Your cover letter should describe why you are interested in the position, whether you’re interested in a MSc or PhD and why, and how your work and life experience to date would make you a good candidate given the desired qualifications. Please write the cover letter in your own words, without the use of generative AI.

​

Time line:

We will review applications on a rolling basis starting Aug 17. Applicants selected for a zoom interview will be contacted by mid-September. We aim to conduct interviews in September and make a decision by early October. The successful applicant will then have to officially apply to the McGill Graduate program by Nov 1.  The ideal start date is January 2027, but it may be possible to start May 1 2027 if needed (e.g. for international students requiring study permits).