Interested in Working in the Food Systems PRISM Lab?
​Are you motivated, innately curious, and highly disciplined? Are you keen to hone your research skills and knowledge? Do you have a strong interest in food system sustainability issues? Are you willing and able to critically examine your own assumptions, and to challenge and be challenged in an environment of respect, collaboration, and exploration? Does the prospect of living, working and playing in the beautiful Okanagan Valley in western Canada match your lifestyle aspirations? If so, the Food Systems PRISM Lab at the University of British Columbia might be a good match for you...

The decision to apply for graduate studies opportunities should not be taken lightly. Graduate school is a lot of work. It can also be very rewarding, provided that you are genuinely interested in the research you are undertaking, and committed to success. In my experience, the following attributes are reliable predictors of success as a graduate student. 

Cleverness - as evidenced by a strong academic track record

Curiousity - a genuine interest in research and exploration

Creativity - the ability to identify interesting/important research questions, formulate innovative and rigorous research methods, and synthesize and build upon theory, methods, concepts, and information from across relevant disciplinary and interdisciplinary domains

Criticality - the capacity to apply logic and rigour in discriminating among sources of information, arguments, methods, etc.

Communication skills - the ability to communicate clearly and succinctly (in particular, in written form)

Commitment - a combination of personal attributes and soft skills including ambition, self-motivation, discipline, and professionalism

Research Opportunities
I'm keen to work with high-caliber undergraduate, Masters, PhD and Post-doctoral researchers who have a strong interest in research and publication in the field of food system sustainability. Students may apply to work in the context of my funded research projects (see below for descriptions of specific funded research projects for which I am currently recruiting students). Students who secure independent funding (for example, through scholarships or awards) may propose research projects that fall within my area of research interest. 

Interested students should e-mail me the following documents:

  • a description of research interests (referring, in particular, to how your interests and experience relate to the specific project you wish to work on, and why the PRISM Lab is a good fit for you)
  •  a CV (including two academic and/or professional references)
  •  copies of unofficial transcripts (please self-assess your transcripts against the published requirements for admission to the UBC College of Graduate Studies - only students achieving first class standing will be considered)
  • a writing sample
  • your IELTS or TOEFL test scores (strong English language skills are essential, with a minimum of 8.0 IELTS score in each category)
  • indication of your interest in a degree program (MSc or PhD) in Biology or through the Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies Program Sustainability theme. 

​INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.  

Prospective students satisfying all of the above stated criteria may be contacted to schedule an interview. Only those students who receive an invitation to apply following an interview should consider submitting a formal application (visit the UBC Okanagan College of Graduate Studies website for more information about graduate studies at UBC Okanagan, including information on how to apply).

Application deadline to the UBCO College of Graduate Studies is June 2 for January admission, October 1 for May admission and January 15 for September admission. Prospective students are advised to correspond with Dr. Pelletier well in advance of this date in order to discuss their candidacy. 


Current Recruitment Calls

I am currently recruiting MSc and PhD students as well as Post-doctoral Fellows for the following funded projects

*Please note that direct entry into a PhD program without having first completed a Master's degree will not be considered. However, exceptional students may be considered for early transfer into a PhD program after completion of their first year of Master's studies. 

MSc POSITIONS​ :

Regionalized life cycle inventory and assessment of conventional and alternative malting barley production practices in Canada (2 years @ $25,000 annually)

Life cycle assessment of the resource/environmental benefits and impacts of manure pelleting and drying systems  (2 years @ $25,000 annually)



PHD POSITIONS: 

Mapping and optimizing utilization of low opportunity cost biomass resources for sustainable livestock feed production  (4 years @ $30,000 annually)

Life cycle assessment, technoeconomic assessment and optimization of barley malting in Canada (4 years @ $30,000 annually)

Life cycle assessment, technoeconomic assessment and optimization of spent hen valorization (4 years @ $30,000 annually)

 
POST-DOCTORAL POSITIONS:

LCA of Sustainable Agri-food Technology and Management Alternatives (Funding: $70,000 annually, renewable for a second year)

The Food Systems PRISM Lab is seeking a highly qualified and highly motivated post-doctoral fellow to contribute to research and research management in the field of agri-food life cycle assessment. In light of the current COVID situation, a remote appointment may be considered.

The successful candidate for this position MUST possess one more of the following:
  • a mature foundation in life cycle assessment theory and practice, including data quality and uncertainty assessment 
  • a strong publication record and interest in further research in the field of agri-food life cycle sustainability modelling, in       particular with respect to the current PRISM Lab areas of research 
  • a strong publication record and interest in further research in the fields of predictive analytics and optimization research, with demonstrable transferability to agri-food sustainability modelling contexts​
The candidate must also have:
  • a keen interest in contributing to mentoring and co-publishing with a large cohort of research assistants and graduate students (MSc and PhD) while developing extensive lab management, research supervision, grant writing, and industry engagement credentials
Interested candidates should send ALL of the following materials to Dr. Nathan Pelletier (nathan.pelletier@ubc.ca). Incomplete applications will not be considered.

  • a cover letter summarizing the applicants qualifications with respect to the above specified requirements 
  • a complete scholarly curriculum vitae, including contact information for at least two references 
  • up to three relevant peer-reviewed publications

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview and letters of reference. The position is available immediately until filled.

External Funding
Regardless of availability of dedicated project funding in the Food Systems PRISM Lab, all prospective students are strongly encouraged to explore and apply for relevant external funding as well as teaching assistantships. Students who are awarded a funded project position in the Food Systems PRISM Lab and who also successfully procure additional funding for the project through scholarships, teaching assistantships, and other awards will be "topped up" (i.e. external + project funding) to a maximum of $30,000 annually (over two years) for MSc projects, $35,000 annually (over four years) for PhD projects, and $60,000 annually (over two years) for post-doctoral projects. 

Canadian Students and Post-doctoral Fellows
International Students and Post-doctoral Fellows
UBC Okanagan Awards and Financial Aid ​