PhD Opportunity – Characterizing subsurface water storage across Canada’s Interior Plains
Project Description:
The Canadian Prairies are experiencing the most rapidly changing climate in southern
Canada, and predicting how rivers, lakes and groundwater will respond is necessary to
manage water resources and maintain dependent ecosystems. A unique challenge in the
Prairies is that thick glacial sediments control how precipitation is partitioned between
surface runoff to wetlands and streams, and subsurface storage as soil moisture and
groundwater. In-turn, soil moisture supports vegetation (through evapotranspiration) and
dynamically responds to variation in climate. Representing the terrestrial water cycle is
complex, but sophisticated models are emerging that help understand these linked
processes, which can support decisions about freshwater resources in the future.
The objective of this research project is to characterize changes in subsurface water
storage across the Interior Plains portion of the Nelson River Basin through the middle and
end of the 21st century. Using a basin-scale model developed in HydroGeoSphere as part of
the Canada One Water initiative, the contribution of groundwater to near-surface hydrology
(e.g., evapotranspiration) and interaction with surface water (e.g. baseflow) will be
investigated and compared with remote sensing assessments of water storage (e.g.,
GRACE, SMAP). Outcomes related to changes in water storage will inform environmental
indicators for groundwater quantity, which is a goal of research partners at Natural
Resources Canada.
Working Environment:
The position is based in the Watershed Science & Modelling Laboratory (WSML) in the
Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Alberta. The WSML is
equipped with Windows-based high performance computing systems, with over 500 cores
that allow processing of large-scale models through a user-friendly scheme by applying
Parallel Processing system.
The candidate will be co-supervised by Dr. Monireh Faramarzi and Dr. Brian Smerdon and
collaborate with research partners at the Geological Survey of Canada (Dr. Melissa Bunn,
Dr. Hazen Russell) and Aquanty Inc. (Dr. Steven Frey).
The PhD project is supported with a research scholarship of $35,000CAD per year for four
years.
Please contact Brian Smerdon at brian.smerdon@ualberta.ca for more information about
this opportunity. If you would like to apply for the position, please include your CV and a
brief note about how your background makes you a suitable candidate.
Our research team strives to create an environment where everyone feels valued, barriers
to success are removed, and thriving connections are fostered. We welcome applications
from all qualified persons. We encourage women, First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons,
members of visible minority groups, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual
orientation or gender identity and expression, and all those who may contribute to the
further diversification of ideas and the University to apply.
- Posted: October 10, 2025
- Job Type: PhD
- Application deadline: 08/31/2026
- Organization: University of Alberta
- Qualifications: Experience: • MSc in geoscience (Earth Science, Geology, Environmental) or engineering (Water Resources, Civil, Environmental, Geological). • Proficiency in hydrology, hydrogeology, and the application of hydrologic models. Prior experience with HydroGeoSphere would be an asset. • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to develop presentations, publications and interact with research partners.
- How to apply: Please contact Brian Smerdon at brian.smerdon@ualberta.ca for more information about this opportunity. If you would like to apply for the position, please include your CV and a brief note about how your background makes you a suitable candidate.
- Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Contact Information
Brian Smerdon
brian.smerdon@ualberta.ca