Severe spring snowmelt flooding occurred in 1974, 1976, 2017 and 2019 in the Ottawa River Basin (ORB). The floods of 2017 and 2019 resulted in the evacuation of ~14,000 persons and governmental costs of ~$1 billion. Regional flood management in the densely populated ORB would be improved by multi-century flood records for naturally-flowing tributaries of the Ottawa River, but these do not exist. Multi-century flood records can be inferred using sediment cores from old abandoned river meanders (oxbow lakes). This has been done in the Peace, Mississippi and Rhine River valleys.
I am seeking applications for a MSc student in my group in the department of Geography, Planning and Environment at Concordia University. I currently have this fully funded MSc studentship to start in 2026. The analyses of the sediment cores are to be done using X-ray fluorescence and CT scanning. This is an ideal MSc project for a student interested in data analysis. There is the possibility of doing an expanded project as a PhD project. The position will be based full-time in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, a vibrant exciting city. Students will also have the opportunity to visit collaborators and field sites in Eastern Canada. Applications submitted by January 31, 2026 will receive the highest consideration.
Please contact me with any questions.
Best regards,
Jeannine St-Jacques
jeanninemarie.st-jacques [at] concordia.ca