Call: Open PhD projects for NSE and non-NSE students

trees and shrubs in front of glass buildings

We are currently receiving proposals for PhD projects in biodiversity science, and in non-Natural Sciences and Engineering domains that align with BIOS² program’s objectives.

The BIOS2 Research Funding Program supports PhD projects for NSE and non-NSE students proposed by academic members. Selected projects must align with the objectives of the training program. 

The BIOS² training program provides a framework to foster collaborative, multidisciplinary and cross-sectoral research. It focuses on training the next generation of highly qualified people in quantitative ecology as well as future actors and decision makers in the biodiversity science sector. The main objectives of the program are to widen opportunities and skill sets among students and increase their recruitment in Biodiversity science in the Canadian job market. 

We are currently offering financial support for 3 PhD projects: one (1) in biodiversity science, and two (2) in non-Natural Sciences and Engineering domains. The aim of this call is to fund projects, not students. Once the project is awarded, students are selected by the academic member(s) leading the project. 

We invite researches to submit proposal for:

PhD Project in biodiversity science:
We seek projects that will push the field of biodiversity science forward with the development of new analytical and modelling approaches to biodiversity assessments.

PhD Project for Non-Natural Sciences and Engineering:
We seek projects in social sciences, politics, economics or education that will promote decision-making based on the most advanced techniques to assess biodiversity changes.

Proposals will be evaluated according to the following criteria: 

  • Scientific relevance of the project
  • Correspondence of the research with the program research themes
  • Training opportunities in computational and numerical methods applied to biodiversity science
  • Potential for training in a professional environment
  • Potential for collaborative research beyond academia
  • Implication of the member in the research and program

Value and resources:

A scholarship of a value of $10,000/year for up 3 years for salary plus $2000/year to support training (internships, communication, and travel). The funding will be administered by a BIOS² co-PI.

Members that are not part of the 9 associated institutions must co-supervise fellows with a member from one of them, in accordance with NSERC’s rules.

Selected students will become BIOS² Fellows. Fellows will have access to all training activities and financial support. Fellows are expected to participate in the various activities and contribute to the collaborative environment of the program.

Application :

  • The application is conducted by a BIOS² academic member. If you have a research project to propose but are not yet an academic member, please contact us: info.bios2@usherbrooke.ca
  • The form for application is available online: https://bit.ly/bios2_Non-NSE
  • Deadline for application: Until positions are filled
  • Notification of decision: within 6 weeks after receiving the proposal
  • Students will be selected by the academic member once the project is awarded. The project should start within 6 months after application.

The selection is based on the above criteria and applications must respect the program rules for diversity and equity.

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