PhD position in forest hydrology, Université Laval, Quebec City, Canada

Model water stress in Quebec's forest soils using the CLASSIC surface model.

Best for:Best for candidates with a strong background in hydrology, climate modeling, and forest ecosystem research.

Université Laval · Quebec City, Canada · R1 · First-stage researcher

More professors at Université Laval

forest water stresssoil moisture modelingclimate change impactsCLASSIC surface modelhydrometeorologyforest management

Deadline

Until filled

rolling

Funding

—

Start date

flexible

Full-time

Location

Quebec City

Canada

Overview

This doctoral project aims to quantify spatial and temporal water stress in forest soils across Quebec under past and future climate conditions. The research will be conducted at Université Laval under the supervision of Daniel Nadeau and François Anctil, in collaboration with the Quebec Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests. The student will adapt and validate the CLASSIC surface model for Eastern Canadian forests, run climate‑driven simulations, and analyse the results to support forest management decisions. Expected outcomes include scientific publications, model improvements, and actionable recommendations for forest resource managers.

forest hydrologysoil water potentialclimate dynamicshydrological modelingforest managementQuebecCLASSIC model

What you'll do

Adapt and configure the CLASSIC surface model for Eastern Canadian forest conditions.
Validate model outputs against field measurements from multiple experimental sites.
Simulate past and future soil water potential under various climate scenarios.
Analyse spatial and temporal patterns of water stress across Quebec's managed forests.
Collaborate with the Quebec Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests to translate results into management recommendations.
Prepare scientific manuscripts and present findings at national and international conferences.
Participate in interdisciplinary meetings linking hydrology, climatology, and forestry.

Requirements

Degree required: MSc in Hydrology, Environmental Science, Forestry, or a related field

Degree offered: PhD

Language: English (fluent)

Instruction: English

Required skills

Experience with hydrological or land‑surface modeling
Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, R, or MATLAB
Ability to process and analyse climate and soil‑moisture datasets
Familiarity with field data collection in forest environments

Nice to have

Knowledge of the CLASSIC surface model or similar energy‑balance modelsExperience with GIS and spatial analysis toolsBackground in forest ecology or pedologyStrong scientific writing and presentation abilities

Funding & terms

Type

Unknown

Amount

—

Duration

—

Programme

Université Laval

How to apply

Deadline: Open until the position is filled · open until filled

Prepare a curriculum vitae, a cover letter, transcripts for all previous degrees, and a brief research proposal. Email these documents to the supervising professor, including contact information for three referees. The application will be considered as soon as it is received.

Documents required