We are seeking a PhD student with strong quantitative skills for an Arctic glacio-hydrology research project in the Water and Ice Research Laboratory (WIRL), Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada. The project will build on WIRL’s long-term Milne Fiord research program on Ellesmere Island in the Canadian high Arctic, and will be led by Drs. Shawn Marshall, Murray Richardson and Derek Mueller. We are interested in developing numerical models of the complex hydrology of Milne Fiord’s watershed, including its glaciers, and ice shelf to better understand the quantity and pathways of seasonal meltwater runoff to the ocean, where meltwater plumes play a role in oceanographic and ice-ocean processes.

The ideal candidate will be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident with past experience using numerical models and strong scientific programming skills (e.g., Python, R, or Matlab). Experience with glacier mass and energy balance, glaciological or hydrological modelling, Arctic systems, and climate change are assets to this PhD project. There will likely be opportunities for Arctic fieldwork as part of the project, depending on logistics funding. Past experience and interest in remote fieldwork will be considered an asset. The PhD work would officially begin in September 2026, but there are possibilities to start into the project as a research assistant in summer 2026.

WIRL is committed to fostering diversity as a source of excellence, cultural enrichment, and social strength. We welcome those who would contribute to the further diversification of our lab including, but not limited to: women; visible minorities; First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples; persons with disabilities; and persons of any sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression.

Ottawa is a diverse and vibrant city which offers superb opportunities for a balance of scholarly pursuits, urban experiences, and outdoor activities. There are strong and interdisciplinary Arctic research programs across Ottawa’s two principal research universities, Carleton and the University of Ottawa, along with Arctic research programs in several federal science Departments such as Environment and Climate Change Canada, Natural Resources Canada, and Polar Knowledge Canada, making Ottawa a rich environment to pursue northern and Arctic studies. Carleton is an innovative teaching and research institution with internationally recognized academics, staff, and researchers and more than 31,000 students. Learn more about the University and the city of Ottawa at https://carleton.ca/deputyprovost/jobs/.

We encourage interested candidates to reach out to the project leads with any questions: shawn.marshall@ec.gc.ca, derek.mueller@carleton.ca, and murray.richardson@carleton.ca. Please share a recent CV and a brief description of your research background and interests and we can work together to facilitate the formal application to graduate studies at Carleton. The position will remain open until filled, but we will begin review of candidates on January 26, 2026.