Come join the Little Ecology Group (www.littleecologygroup.ca) at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, Canada! We are hiring a PhD student to conduct aquatic biodiversity research as part of the Alpine Horizons research project, a joint effort of multiple B.C. universities, the Squamish Nation, and British Columbia Parks. You can learn more about Alpine Horizons here.
The project: A doctoral position is available for a student with a background in ecology and/or environmental science. British Columbia’s Coast Mountains feature unique alpine landscapes, webbed by glacial and snowmelt-driven streams. The biodiversity of these freshwater ecosystems is poorly documented in scientific literature, and as a result it is challenging to understand how climate change will impact stream biodiversity, or how biomonitoring could be used to evaluate impact of infrastructure development in the alpine zone. To address the needs of our project partners (Squamish Nation and B.C. Parks), this project aims to fill the knowledge gap on freshwater macroinvertebrate diversity in the Coast Mountains, as well as investigating stream ecosystem functioning. This project will entail fieldwork in rugged areas, as well as conceptual work linking species traits to climate risk and environmental conditions.
Within these topics, the group leader Dr. Chelsea Little is excited to work with the student to develop research ideas that inspire them. The Little Ecology group focuses on community and landscape ecology, but across a wide array of ecosystem types, scales, and taxonomic groups. We seek group members who would thrive in this environment and who enjoy learning about the processes at work in the natural world.
Expectations: Doctoral students are expected to develop at least three research chapters for their dissertation. We expect that students will be increasingly independent as they advance through their doctoral career. Group members should conduct sound, reproducible research and uphold principles of open science. In this interdisciplinary project, we also expect that students consider input from project partners and help mobilize their knowledge to communities.
The Little Ecology Group values diversity and seeks to build an inclusive lab. Currently, our research group consists of mix of graduate students, undergraduate researchers, and one postdoc. Group members are expected to contribute to a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. International students and those from groups that are under-represented in ecology are encouraged to apply. You can read our lab values statement below the “how to apply” section of this page.
Eligibility: Candidates must have completed a masters degree in a relevant field. Competitive candidates will have experience working in field settings; strong statistical and modelling skills, including comfort in the R computing environment; and excellent interpersonal and writing abilities. Expertise in freshwater macroinvertebrate identification is an asset. Experience working outdoors in mountain environments is beneficial, but the only requirement is willingness to conduct multi-day research trips in a remote environment, hiking with considerable elevation gain and occasionally in adverse weather conditions.
The student will be enrolled in the PhD program in either the Biological Sciences department or the School of Environmental Science at Simon Fraser University, depending on student interest. Information about the program, including admission criteria, can be found here for Biological Sciences and here for Environmental Science.
Both Canadian and international students are eligible for these positions. Note that a Canadian student could start as early as May 2026, but due to study permit processing times, an international student could realistically not start until September 2026.
Compensation: PhD students receive $34,100 per year in compensation for at least four years. It is expected that a portion of this will come from teaching assistantships, and that students will apply for appropriate fellowships/scholarships. For example, Canadian applicants are expected to develop an NSERC CGS-D application in fall of 2026 or 2027, if they are selected for the position. The balance of the students’ compensation packages will come from grant funding. The Biological Sciences funding policy can be found here.
How to Apply: To express your interest, get more information, or ask questions about my mentorship approach, please email your CV, academic transcript(s), and a cover letter that includes a short description of your research interests and background and a note about your career goals to Chelsea_little AT sfu.ca. Review of applications will begin on October 25, 2025, and continue until the position is filled. If the position is still listed on this site, we are still accepting applications!
Our values:
As stated in its name, the Little Ecology Group values each little piece that makes up our collective group. Our lab members come from varying backgrounds, including in our positionality and understanding of the world, and we are dedicated to making this a safe place for people of all backgrounds and levels of experience. The Little Ecology Group celebrates these differences, for they enrich what we all share: our curiosity and love for science. We strive to create an environment where people can feel confident and supported in seeking higher learning, regardless of their background or experience, and where we practice kindness and respect for ourselves and others. We seek inspiration from other group members and aim to create a fun and collaborative environment where we can learn in an engaging and supportive way. Although our research is focused on ecology, our work is not limited to only the natural world and we must consider all aspects of natural and social science, including historical relevance, cultural importance, political influence, and scientific method. We recognize the importance of not only doing science, but of understanding it in the larger context of the world, and of communicating it effectively across communities. We are community participants who share our work with local policy and decision-makers to help protect nature. If you align with these values or if you have new views to challenge and improve who we are as a group, the Little Ecology Group welcomes you!
Chelsea Jean Little (she/her)
Assistant Professor
School of Environmental Science & Department of Biological Sciences
chelsea_little@sfu.ca
www.littleecologygroup.ca
I live and work on the unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples of the x?m??kw?y??m (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and S?l?ílw?ta? (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.