Join our team

Title of master's project: Optimizing woody regeneration on restored drilling platforms in peatlands

Program: MSc en biologie végétale avec mémoire Supervisors: Mélina Guêné-Nanchen and Bin Xu (NAIT) Location: Université Laval (Quebec City, QC) Starting date: Winter or summer 2026 Stipend: To be discussed. Applicants who already hold a scholarship or have a strong academic record suitable for applying to funding agencies (e.g., NSERC) are strongly encouraged to apply. (Possible supplements.)

Project description: Oil and gas development has significantly impacted boreal ecosystems, leading to the construction of approximately 36,000 hectares of well pads in peatlands, which disrupt wetland functions. To mitigate these impacts, the Government of Alberta mandates that disturbed peatlands be restored to their original state, with a focus on reestablishing mosses and woody species.
Restoration efforts often rely on techniques such as the Moss Layer Transfer Technique (MLTT), but these have shown limited success in promoting woody species establishment. Preliminary studies indicate that only 10% woody vegetation coverage is achieved after three years, highlighting the need for further research into effective restoration practices for these species.
This project, led by the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), aims to address these knowledge gaps by evaluating various restoration techniques. The selected MSc student will conduct field monitoring on two restored peatland well pads in Alberta. The research will assess the contribution of moss layer transfer to the spontaneous regeneration of woody species and examine the effects of planting season and density on the performance of different tree and shrub species. 

Opportunity: 

• Innovation: Contribute to the development of ecological restoration methods.
• Skills: Enhance your expertise by developing advanced skills in sampling and analyzing ecological data.
• Network: Collaborate within a dynamic team of graduate students, researchers, professionals, and industry partners.
• Visibility: Participate in national and international conferences and explore various professional opportunities.

Qualifications:

• Interest in peatland research and ecological restoration.
• Bachelor’s (and master’s) degrees in biology, ecology, environmental science, or equivalent.
• Fieldwork experience and good tolerance to outdoor elements (heat, cold, rain, insects, etc.).
• Good level of Fench.
• Valid driver's licence in Quebec.
• Ability to work in a team.

To apply, please send:

• CV
• Cover letter
• Trancripts
• Contact information for 3 references 

To candidature-gret@fsaa.ulaval.ca