At the Coastal Systems Engineering Lab, we believe that balanced teams, diverse ideas, and varied worldviews fuel innovation. Diverse teams are a fundamental tenet of transdisciplinary research, and essential to the development of transformative nature-based solutions. If you are interested in growing and applying your STEM skills to better understand and model coastal and estuarine system processes, and to collaboratively develop nature-inspired solutions to coastal engineering and coastal zone management challenges, we would love to hear from you. We particularly encourage candidates from groups that are under-represented in STEM, or communities disproportionately impacted by coastal hazard risk. We are committed to fostering a compassionate, supportive and respectful environment for team members from a variety of backgrounds.
Prospective MASc and PhD students
We always interested in speaking with highly motivated and creative graduates interested in conducting research on topics of relevance to addressing coastal and estuarine system challenges. If you are interested in graduate research opportunities at the Coastal Systems Engineering Lab, please complete the form here. Depending on the interests and skillsets of selected candidates, research topics may involve one (or combinations) of the following:
- Development and application of numerical and/or physical models to assess hydro-eco-morphodynamic performance of coastal nature-based features (e.g., mixed-sediment dynamic revetments, wood installations, living dykes, shell berms).
- Field investigation of hydro-eco-geomorphic performance of coastal nature-based features.
- Beneficial use of dredged sediment in nature-based solutions for coastal hazard risk management: field research and modelling of sediment dispersion and interaction with vegetation; optimization of source-receptor (supply-distribution) pathways.
- Ecological enhancement and retrofitting of coastal infrastructure with nature-based solutions.
- Development and application of integrated, multi-scale coastal and estuarine systems models (combining process- and data-driven approaches) to predict compound hazards and coupled sub-system (e.g., bio-geomorphology, habitat suitability, and human) responses to perturbations and interventions over multiple time-scales.
- Field and numerical investigations of the fate and transport of waterborne debris and pollutants in coastal and estuarine systems.
- Decision support systems for prioritization of nature-based solutions.
These positions will be funded through graduate research assistantships, and selected candidates will receive a stipend. We encourage applicants with:
- A graduate or undergraduate degree in engineering, mathematics, physics, ocean/marine science, or a related discipline and a track record of academic excellence.
- Experience with numerical, experimental, analytical, or field surveying techniques and analysis.
- An ability to work in a collaborative team environment.
- Strong communication skills.
Preferred candidates will have a background or some experience in one or more of the following (or closely related) areas: coastal or hydrotechnical engineering, hydrodynamics, hydraulics, fluid dynamics, oceanography, coastal geomorphology.
Prospective students must meet UBC’s general admission requirements for the MASc or PhD programs.