PhD project in cold regions hydrology (1)
Description
Hydroclimatic impacts of northern hydroelectric reservoirs in a changing climate - the albedo effect
More than two-thirds of the world's renewable electricity comes from hydropower. However, like all energy sources, hydropower has a hydroclimatic impact that needs to be quantified. While at low latitudes the creation of a reservoir causes a positive radiative forcing on average due to the very low albedo of water, at high latitudes the effect is nuanced by the presence of ice and snow cover for several months of the year. The net radiative forcing resulting from this sequence of low (open water) and high (ice and snow) albedos over the course of a year is misunderstood in the context of a changing climate, in part due to a lack of local observations.
The main objective of this PhD project is to estimate the net radiative forcing resulting from the albedo change associated with the impoundment of a reservoir in a cold region in the face of a changing cryosphere. The study site is the Romaine River hydroelectric complex (~50°N), in eastern Canada. The project will include an experimental component with albedo measurements on the reservoir and surrounding terrestrial environments, a modeling component where the student will become familiar with the Canadian Small Lake Model, and a remote sensing component where pre- and post-impoundment conditions will be contrasted.
Research Field
- Lake
- Hydropower reservoir
- Boreal region
- Ice
- Snow
- Field work
- Modelling
- Surface energy budget
- Hydrometeorology
- Climate change
Research Supervisor
Daniel Nadeau
Research Environment
Departement of Civil and Water Engineering
Université Laval (ULaval) is the oldest French-speaking university in North America. It is home to some 48,000 students in 17 faculties, 60 departments and schools, and nearly 400 undergraduate and graduate programs in all fields of knowledge. Université Laval offers strong graduate programs in northern research.
Web Site
Financial Aid Available by Program of Study
Doctorate in Water Engineering
Program descriptionFinancial Aid Available*
Financial Aid Related to Research Project
$26000 per year for 4 years.
Funding of 26,000 CAD/year available for 4 years. Possible start date: September 2024 or January 2025. The student will be supervised by Professor Daniel Nadeau (Université Laval) and co-supervised by Professor François Anctil (Université Laval).
Program-Specific Financial Aid
Graduate Studies Awards
| Milestone |
Amount |
Progression scholarship
|
7 x $500 |
Doctoral exam or seminar presentation
|
$750 |
Doctoral exam, seminar or conference
|
$1,000 |
Publication
|
$750 |
Communication
|
$1,000 |
First submission of dissertation
|
$1,000* |
| Total |
$8,500 |
*A $500 bonus will be added to the graduation scholarship if the initial submission is made before the semester preceding the final qualifying semester.
Université Laval: Student Financial Aid
Supplemental Tuition Fee Exemption Scholarship Program: Entitles international students to pay Canadian student tuition fees, for overall savings of around $40,000.
* Amounts shown represent maximum financial aid available. Certain conditions apply. Subject to change without prior notice. For further information, contact sponsoring organizations directly.
Desired Profile
- Forestry, Geography and Geomatics
- Science and IT
- Engineering
- Civil and Water Engineering
- Water Engineering
Requirements and Conditions
- MSc degree in engineering, physics, environmental sciences or geography
- Desirable: experience in data analysis and field work
- Motivation, teamwork and communication skills
- Programming experience (Python, R, Matlab or equivalent)
- Driver's license
Required Documentation
- Cover letter
- Curriculum vitæ
- Student transcript
Please email Prof. Daniel Nadeau (daniel.nadeau@gci.ulaval.ca) and Prof. François Anctil (francois.anctil@gci.ulaval.ca) with your CV, a short cover letter, examples of previous research (M.Sc. thesis or published articles), and the names of two references.
Application Deadline
May 1, 2024
Find Out More
Daniel Nadeau
Professeur titulaire
Département de génie civil et de génie des eaux
daniel.nadeau@gci.ulaval.ca