Funded MSc or PhD position to Jan 2027

Understanding Ecological Responses to Heat Waves
One Funded PhD or MSc position, McGill University, Start date: Jan. 2027

The Sunday Lab is seeking a highly motivated PhD student to investigate ecological responses to heatwaves and climate change in natural settings. The project will combine results of a cross-national eDNA monitoring network with nearshore fish species distributions, with theory and quantitative synthesis approaches to improve how we predict warming responses in complex natural systems. The student will use data available about species' occupied climatic niches, thermal physiology, meta-interaction networks, and recent theoretical advances to test hypotheses and make predictions about how communities of interacting species respond to different rates of warming. You will join the Sunday Lab at McGill University, and work directly with this research group and Prof. Jennifer Sunday and colleagues.


What We Are Looking For

• Background: A strong background in Ecology, Ecophysiology, or Macroecology
• Skills: Experience working in R, engaging with theory, and working with data in ecology. Experience working large datasets is a plus! 
• Traits: Strong analytical mindset, community-minded and ambitious or unifying research attitude, interest to engage with literature and theory, a passion

What We Offer

• A vibrant, highly collaborative research environment in the Biology Department at McGill University
• Access to high-level training in ecological data science, including technical, collaborative, and end-to-end research skills
• The position is funded, with the expectation that the student will continue to apply for supporting fellowships

How to Apply
Please submit your CV, unofficial academic transcript, a 1-page cover letter detailing your research interests, and contact information for 2 references to [email protected] by Aug. 15th, 2025. The position is open as a MSc or PhD depending on qualifications, please articulate

Background information
To establish your interest in this position and craft some research ideas, please refer to some of the following resources:
Data paper for the Pacific eDNA Coastal Observatory Data Paper, preprint here
Papers about metawebs in Ecology - e.g. papers here and here
Get familiar with past and projected coastal heatwaves in Pacific Canada and the US since 2021
Bring your own interest - there are lots of directions this could go!