Research Associate – Wetland Carbon and GHG Dynamics

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Hiring Unit:

Department of Geography

Position Summary

The Research Associate will play a key role in supporting research on carbon cycling and greenhouse gas emissions in Canadian wetland ecosystems. This position will contribute to the management of long-term eddy covariance flux tower infrastructure, fieldwork coordination, data analysis, mentoring students, and the publication of high-impact research outputs. The role requires strong technical, quantitative, and collaborative skills and aligns with McGill’s R3 Research Associate classification.

This position includes benefits in accordance with the Collective Agreement for Research Associates at McGill University, including vacation, health and dental insurance, and pension contributions.

Primary Responsibilities

• Process and analyze high-frequency flux and meteorological data using tools like EddyPro and custom scripts.
• Develop and implement automated QA/QC workflows for environmental datasets.
• Conduct spatial and statistical analysis leveraging eddy covariance and remote sensing datasets (e.g., Sentinel-1/2, LiDAR, hyperspectral).

• Coordinate and execute fieldwork in freshwater mineral marshes in Quebec, including:

  • Installation and maintenance of eddy covariance flux towers.

  • Deployment and maintenance of eco-physiological instruments (e.g., chambers, sap flow sensors).
• Contribute to modeling and upscaling efforts using process-based and remote sensing-driven approaches.
• Support manuscript preparation and contribute to scientific publications and conference presentations.
• Supervise and train graduate and undergraduate students in data analysis and field methods.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in Environmental Science, Atmospheric Science, Ecology, or a closely related discipline, with research expertise relevant to land-atmosphere interactions and climate-ecosystem feedback.
• Excellent command of English, both spoken and written, is required.
• Minimum of 3 years of postdoctoral or equivalent research experience, demonstrating progressive responsibility in designing and leading field- and model-based studies.
• Extensive hands-on experience with eddy covariance (EC) systems, including:
  • Full-cycle deployment: site selection, instrumentation setup, calibration, and maintenance.
  • Troubleshooting high-frequency EC instruments (e.g., LI-COR, Campbell Scientific).
  • Familiarity with associated meteorological and ancillary instrumentation.
• Proficiency in eddy covariance data processing, including:
  • Use of standard processing pipelines (e.g., EddyPro, REddyProc).
  • Application of gap-filling, flux partitioning, and uncertainty quantification techniques.
  • Integration of EC data with ancillary environmental datasets (e.g., soil, vegetation, meteorological data).
• Strong background in greenhouse gas flux research, including CO₂, CH₄, and/or N₂O dynamics in terrestrial ecosystems.
• Advanced programming and data analysis skills in:
  • R and Python: development of automated workflows, statistical modeling, data visualization.
  • MATLAB (preferred but not essential): particularly for legacy data handling or numerical modeling.
• Experience in remote sensing and geospatial analysis, with demonstrated ability to:
  • Analyze satellite and airborne imagery (e.g., Landsat, MODIS, Sentinel).
  • Work with large spatial datasets, including time-series analysis and machine learning applications.
  • Use spatial statistical tools to relate remote sensing and in-situ observations.
• Proficiency in geospatial software platforms, including:
  • Google Earth Engine for cloud-based remote sensing analysis.
  • QGIS or ArcGIS for spatial data integration and mapping.
  • ERDAS Imagine (an asset, but not required).
• Demonstrated leadership and mentorship experience, including:
  • Supervision of undergraduate and graduate students in field or modeling projects.
  • Coordination of multi-disciplinary research teams and collaboration across institutions.
• Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals, including:
  • At least 3 first-author papers in high-impact or well-regarded disciplinary journals relevant to environmental science or atmospheric research.
  • Evidence of collaborative publications and contributions to large-scale datasets or networks (e.g., FLUXNET, AmeriFlux).

• Excellent organizational and project management skills, including development and execution of project timelines, data management protocols, and reporting milestones.
• Superior communication skills in English, including:
  • Experience presenting research to diverse audiences (scientific, policy, stakeholder).
  • Strong scientific writing abilities, including grant proposals and technical reports.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in wetland ecosystems and with biogeochemical modeling.
• Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel for field campaigns within Quebec.

Before applying, please note that to work at McGill University, you must be both authorized to work in Canada and willing to work in the province of Quebec at the campus where the position is based / located.

McGill University is an English-language university where most teaching and research activities are conducted in the English language, thereby requiring English communication both verbally and in writing.

Hourly Salary:

$41.39

Hours per Week:

35 (Full time)

Location:

Burnside Hall

Supervisor:

Assistant Professor

Position Start Date:

2025-09-15

Position End Date:

2028-09-14

Deadline to Apply:

2025-07-06

This position is covered by the Association of McGill University Research Employees (AMURE) collective agreement.

McGill University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, accessibilityrequest.hr@mcgill.ca.