Description
In Quebec, many municipalities rely on groundwater for their drinking water supply. The reliability of these systems depends on the availability of the resource, the capacity and redundancy of the intake systems, water quality, and changes in demand. Climate change could also alter aquifer recharge and exacerbate periods of water stress.
The objective of this PhD project is to develop an approach to assess the vulnerability of municipal systems, evaluate their response to climate change and water withdrawals, and identify robust adaptation strategies. An initial regional analysis will identify the main vulnerability factors and select representative systems. Groundwater recharge and flow models will then be used to evaluate how aquifers and water intakes respond to different climate conditions, water demands and withdrawals, and to test various adaptation strategies.
The project is intended for candidates with a strong background in quantitative hydrogeology and experience in groundwater flow modelling. Strong analytical skills, an interest in scientific programming, and the ability to work with municipal and government partners are also required..
Start date
January 2027 or as soon as possible
Research supervision
Daniel Paradis, INRS Professor
Study program
PhD in Earth Sciences (program details in French only)
Eau Terre Environnement Research Centre, INRS
Funding
Competitive scholarship for the duration of the PhD project.
Required qualifications
Master’s degree in hydrogeology, geological engineering, civil engineering, Earth sciences, environmental sciences, or in a related field. Prior experience in hydrogeological modeling (e.g., FEFLOW, MODFLOW, or equivalent software) is required. Experience in scientific programming is an asset.
To apply
Interested candidates can send their application by email to daniel.paradis@inrs.ca
The application package must include the following documents in one PDF file:
Cover letter, curriculum vitae, university transcripts et contact information for two referees.