Fully Funded PhD Opportunity in Applied Remote Sensing at the University of Alberta | Canada 2025
Are you passionate about forest ecology, climate resilience, and geospatial technology? The Forest Growth & Yield Lab at the University of Alberta, Canada, invites applications for a fully funded PhD position in Applied Remote Sensing. This exciting opportunity is part of the DIVERSE project, a cutting-edge national initiative focused on strengthening forest resilience across Canadian landscapes.
If you are looking to contribute to meaningful, interdisciplinary research that addresses climate change, biodiversity, and sustainable forest management, this program is for you.
Program Overview
- Location: University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
- Lab: Forest Growth & Yield Lab
- Supervisor: Dr. Robert Froese
- Start Date: Open until filled
- Funding: Fully funded PhD position
This PhD program offers full funding and provides the opportunity to work closely with experienced researchers while using advanced remote sensing tools to support national forest resilience strategies.
Research Focus: Forest Resilience Mapping through Remote Sensing
The selected PhD candidate will focus on:
- Assessing and mapping functional diversity and redundancy in Canadian forests using advanced remote sensing and ecological modeling techniques.
- Identifying areas with high or low resilience to climate stressors, pests, fire, and land-use change.
This research will contribute to data-driven, resilience-based forest management strategies and directly impact policy-making and conservation planning in Canada.
Key Responsibilities
As part of your PhD research, you will:
- Collect and preprocess multi-source remote sensing data (e.g., LiDAR, hyperspectral, Sentinel, Landsat).
- Use geospatial tools and models to analyze forest functional traits and biodiversity.
- Develop and validate national-scale forest resilience maps across Canadian ecozones.
- Collaborate with cross-institutional teams under the DIVERSE project.
- Present findings at international conferences and publish in peer-reviewed journals.
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Eligibility & Desired Qualifications
Applicants should be highly motivated and technically proficient in areas relevant to forest ecology and remote sensing. Ideal candidates will have:
- A Master’s degree in Forestry, Remote Sensing, Ecology, Geography, Environmental Science, or a related field.
- Hands-on experience with remote sensing software and geospatial data analysis tools (e.g., Python, R, or Google Earth Engine).
- Solid background in ecosystem science, forest dynamics, or biodiversity research.
- Strong communication skills (written and verbal).
- Capacity for independent research and problem-solving.
Bonus skills: Familiarity with machine learning, spatial statistics, or data visualization is a plus, though not mandatory. GRE scores are optional but may strengthen your application.
Why Study at the University of Alberta?
- Top-ranked university known globally for environmental and forestry research.
- Access to state-of-the-art lab facilities and interdisciplinary research networks.
- Located in Edmonton, Canada, a hub for sustainability and natural resource innovation.
- Opportunities for professional growth, including publishing, teaching, and presenting at top conferences.
How to Apply
To be considered for this PhD opportunity, send the following documents to Dr. Robert Froese at refroese@ualberta.ca:
- A detailed CV outlining academic and professional experience.
- A 1–2 page cover letter explaining your research interests, qualifications, and motivation.
- GRE scores (optional).
- Contact details of two academic or professional references.
Note: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so early submissions are highly encouraged. The position will remain open until filled.
Contact Information
Dr. Robert Froese
Forest Growth & Yield Lab
University of Alberta, Canada
Email: refroese@ualberta.ca
