Master’s and PhD Project- Université de Sherbrooke
Deadline: March 24, 2025
Project offers on Microbiomes & Food Webs in the laboratories of Professor Matthew Barbour and Professor Isabelle Laforest-Lapointe – How are microbes involved in plant-insect food webs?
To apply: Send a letter of interest, a transcript, a CV, and three reference contacts to the following email addresses: isabelle.laforest-lapointe@usherbrooke.ca and matthew.barbour@usherbrooke.ca.
Project description: Develop an experimental approach to study how plant microbiomes interact with
insects across multiple trophic levels to shape food-web resilience.
Objectives : Dans ce projet, nous manipulerons le microbiome d’Arabidopsis thaliana pour
(OBJ1) mesurer son influence sur les dynamiques et la dispersion des populations d’insectes
herbivores; (OBJ2) évaluer la contribution des herbivores à la dispersion microbienne entre les
plantes; et (OBJ3) tester comment le microbiome des plantes affecte la résilience d’un réseau
trophique d’insectes (6 espèces de 4 niveaux trophiques). Bien que chaque membre mène son propre
projet, l’équipe travaillera en collaboration pour atteindre les objectifs collectifs. Ce projet fait partie
d’une collaboration avec les Profs. Guillaume Blanchet (UdeS) et Terrence Bell (U. Toronto).
Les candidat.e.s doivent avoir une bonne compréhension de la gestion et de l’analyse des données.
Des connaissances dans un ou plusieurs des domaines suivants sont un atout : écologie des
communautés, microbiologie, entomologie, bio-informatique, statistiques, et métagénomique.
A scholarship of $21,000/year for the Master’s project and $24,000/year for the PhD project.
Master Degree Project -Université Laval
Start September 2025
Master’s project in the laboratory of Pre Jacynthe Dessureault-Rompré and Dr Snizhana Olishevska (CEROM) on “Amélioration de l’implantation et de la survie du miscanthus géant dans plusieurs conditions pédoclimatiques du Québec”.
TO APPLY: Send your curriculum vitae, cover letter, and transcript to jacynthe.dessureault-rompre@fsaa.ulaval.ca and/or snizhana.olishevska@cerom.qc.ca
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Giant miscanthus (MG) is a perennial rhizomatous grass that offers several agro-environmental benefits. Thanks to its deep roots, it has remarkable potential to capture large amounts of carbon, reduce field erosion, and thus improve soil health and conservation. Furthermore, its biomass can be used as an ecological bedding alternative to conventional bedding and as forage for livestock, promoting the sustainability of Quebec’s agriculture. Additionally, MG biomass can be used for bioenergy production and the manufacture of eco-materials, reducing reliance on petroleum products and contributing to the development of a circular and responsible economy. However, despite its many benefits, MG faces challenges in adapting to Quebec’s climate, particularly concerning its establishment and its ability to survive freeze-thaw cycles and harsh winters. This represents a major issue for its integration into Quebec’s agricultural systems, especially in northern regions. This project aims to assess the establishment and winter survival strategies of MG, by studying the effects of different rhizome sizes, planting timing, and potential mulching applications. The project also aims to study the beneficial effects of MG on soil health and conservation. The results of this project will help draft a guide for MG production, providing precise information on improving the establishment and production of this crop in Quebec
The work will primarily be conducted at Laval University, in Quebec City. The project includes soil sampling at experimental sites located in Montérégie, Estrie, and the Bas-Saint-Laurent region.
Scholarship 21,000$/year for 2 years
PhD Project-INRS-Centre Armand-Frappier and Université de Montréal
The Lajoie (INRS – Centre Armand-Frappier) and Laur (UdeM) labs are looking for a PhD candidate for a project examining the role of leaf microbe recruitment in plant defense strategies to biotic stresses (herbivory and pathogens).
Start-May 2025
One of the applied aspects of the project will also be to determine whether foliar application of activated macerates derived from organic agricultural residues facilitates the recruitment of phytoprotective agents.
The project may begin as early as May 2025. Postings will remain open until the position is filled. The work will be based in Laval and Montreal, and the candidate’s funding will be $24,000/year for 4 years.
Assets sought
- Laboratory experience (microbiology or molecular biology)
- Ability to demonstrate scientific interest and motivation for research in microbial ecology and plant physiology
- Ability to work in a team and with non-academic partners
- Experience with R and/or Python
- Scientific writing skills
Interested?
Please forward a cover letter summarizing your research interests and experience relevant to the project, along with your CV and a recent transcript to Geneviève Lajoie (genevieve.lajoie@inrs.ca) and Joan Laur (joan.laur@umontreal.ca). Candidates from groups under-represented in the research community are particularly encouraged to apply.
Master/PhD Project-Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Master’s/Doctorate position available in Prof. Mamadou Fall’s laboratory at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in epidemiology of horticultural plant viruses. See the link for more information.
Deadline December 5
Master’s degree Project-Bishop’s University
Master’s degree opportunity in Pr Sarathi Weraduwage’s laboratory at Bishop’s University on the analysis of Arabisopsis growth under various conditions. See the link for more information.
Beginning of January 2025
Master/PhD Project- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
PhD or master’s degree opportunity at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Nova Scotia on organic amendments in viticulture systems in Pr Vicky Lévesque’s lab. See the link for more information.
Deadline December 6
Beginning of January 2025