Opportunities in the lab
We have openings for various MSc and PhD projects and we welcome applications from anyone interested in the causes and consequences of biodiversity. We aim to work with students from all backgrounds and corners of the world, but women and students from minority groups are especially encouraged to apply.
CURRENT RESEARCH TOPICS IN THE LAB
2. The functional trait ecology of ants: from global to local scale
3. The resilience of plant pollinator-networks
4. The resilience of forest ecosystems
GENERAL APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Concordia is an english-speaking university located in Montreal. Montreal is a great place to live and study with 4 different universities scattered around the city. Our lab can therefore interact with scientists and students in other local institutions (see the QCBS website for a list of researchers in the area).
The Department of Biology at Concordia is located on the Loyola Campus, slightly away from, but within reach of, the city center. The Loyola Campus is rapidly developing into an environmentally conscious and and sustainable living place as a result of several student-led initiatives.
The Department of Biology hosts a group of researchers working at the interface of ecology, evolution and conservation, creating opportunities for inter-disciplinary projects and collaborations.
Want to Join the Lab?
We are always looking for creative, enthusiastic and self-motivated students to join the lab! If after reading about the research we do and browsing through our publications you think you would like to work with us, then you should consider contacting us. Make sure to send your CV and write a short paragraph telling us why you are excited about joining the lab and why you think you would benefit from it. But, before you press “send”, please take the time to read carefully the information below.
Postdocs
There are several funding opportunities for conducting postdoctoral research in Québec and Canadian universities. These include provincial (FRQNT) and federal (NSERC) fellowships, which are available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Several options are also available for foreign postdocs (FRQNT, LIBER ERO, Mitacs). Deadlines for government-funded postdoctoral fellowship are usually in early October of the year preceding your potential start date (i.e. October 2015 for a postdoc starting September 2016).
Graduate students
Whether we can take you in our team or not will depend on (1) your level of enthusiasm and commitment for scientific research, ecology, insects, etc… (2) whether you already possess a set of skills that would make you an asset for the team (e.g., strong statistical skills, knowledge of insect taxonomy and phylogenetics, extensive field-work experience) and (3) the strength of your reference letters. Finally, your cumulative GPA is as important as any other criteria listed above because it will determine whether or not you might be able to bring in your own funding via applications for competitive scholarships awarded by governmental agencies.
As a graduate student in the lab, you will be expected to seek any opportunities to fund your own research and apply for governmental scholarships. These include provincial (FRQNT) and federal (NSERC) scholarships, which are available to Canadian residents. Several options are also available for foreign students (FRQNT, Ouranos). Deadlines for government-funded scholarships are usually in early October of the year preceding your potential start date (i.e. October 2015 for a MSc or PhD starting September 2016). We will be happy to help you put together the application.
Concordia University also offers fellowship opportunities for very strong candidates, which have previous research experience and/or strong grades. If you want to join the lab as a graduate student, you will have to apply for grad school through Concordia, and you will automatically be considered for a Concordia fellowship. Deadline for graduate school application is in late January for those planning to start in May or September of the same year. Information on the Biology graduate program at Concordia can be found here. Make sure to contact us months in advance if you plan on submitting an application to join our lab so that we can discuss opportunities and options.
Undergraduate students
Gaining some research experience at the undergraduate level is essential if you are considering graduate school as a next step. We welcome highly motivated and enthusiastic undergraduate students wanting to gain research experience in community ecology, biogeography, field-based ecology and entomology. You can obtain up to 6 credits for research done in the lab if you qualify and sign up for the BSc Honours’ program described here. Contact Ian Ferguson for more information on undergraduate research in ecology.