Offer Description
We have funded MASc/PhD positions available in autonomous robotic water-quality sampling at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada.
- We are developing a drone-based platform for rapid acquisition of in-situ water data at scale.
- We are working closely with coastal communities to co-develop this platform and improve resiliency to climate events.
- Multiple robots will autonomously gather and transmit data real-time over a cellular network to be processed and displayed on a custom cloud platform.
This position is part of the CLEAR project in collaboration with Rogers and the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre and will include algorithmic, computational, and applied aspects.
About the Lab
This is a joint position between the research groups of Dr. Adrien Desjardins and Dr. Dominic Liao-McPherson. We also collaborate closely with Dr. Philippe Tortell in the Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences.
We are hosted within the Departments of Mechanical and Electrical & Computer Engineering on UBCs Point Grey campus on the unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) people, surrounded by forest, ocean and mountains. Vancouver is consistently ranked as one of the most diverse cities in Canada, and one of the most livable cities in the world. UBC offers a friendly and stimulating environment and the opportunity to become an expert in control, optimization, and computing while solving meaningful engineering problems.
Qualifications
- A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in engineering (or a related field)
- Background in Robotics and/or Aerospace engineering is helpful but not required
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Some coursework/project experience in optimization, machine learning, control systems, or robotics is desirable.
- No other specific qualifications beyond and a willingness to learn within an interdisciplinary team.
If you have any questions
If you’re interested in pursuing graduate school in beautiful Vancouver and any of this seems interesting to you, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
- Dominic Liao-McPherson | dliaomcp {at} mech.ubc.ca | https://mech.ubc.ca/dominic-liao-mcpherson/
- Adrien Desjardins | adrien.desjardins {at} ubc.ca | https://ece.ubc.ca/adrien-desjardins/
How to apply
Submit the following documents by email at dliaomcp {at} mech.ubc.ca and adrien.desjardins {at} ubc.ca
- A resume/CV;
- A cover letter/statement of intent (including relevant experience, your research interests);
- Unofficial transcripts;
Please submit all documents as a single .pdf file and use the following format for the email subject line: [CLEAR application]: LastName, FirstName
Those shortlisted for further consideration will be contacted for an online interview and given instructions about submitting a formal application. This position can be hosted in either Mechanical or Electrical Engineering
Due to the volume of emails received only those shortlisted will be contacted; I apologize in advance.
We encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including First Nations, MĂ©tis and Inuit peoples, Indigenous peoples of North America, Black-identified persons, other racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.
Key Dates
- November 10th 2025 | First review date for applications
- January 15th 2026 | Last review date for applications (no applications will be considered after this date)
Salary Ranges
A minimum yearly stipend of $40,000 for PhD students and $31,000 for MASc students.
Award holders (e.g., CGS-M, UBC internal fellowship) will receive a top up.
Income from TA positions stacks on top
This posting is for the UBC Vancouver campus in British Columbia, Canada.
Please refer to reference number EU-58791 during correspondence about this position.
To express interest and initiate contact to the principal investigator applicants are encouraged to follow the instructions as provided in the position description or to submit an enquiry form on the position posting. Please note that applicants will have to complete an online application to the University of British Columbia and gain admission as a graduate student to the university. Applicants should review the graduate program profile to learn about admission requirements, application deadlines, program duration, tuition, or to read student and alumni stories. Please visit the researcher profile of the supervisor for this position to learn more about their research.
About UBC
The University of British Columbia is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world. Since 1915, UBC’s entrepreneurial spirit has embraced innovation and challenged the status quo. UBC encourages its students, staff and faculty to challenge convention, lead discovery and explore new ways of learning. At UBC, bold thinking is given a place to develop into ideas that can change the world.
Research Master’s at UBC Vancouver
UBC is a public university with a comprehensive program offering – covering all major academic disciplines and degree levels, with both research- and course-based program options. More than 50,000 students attend UBC Vancouver. As a research master’s student at UBC Vancouver, you’ll be part of a diverse community of over 10,000 graduate students at an institution which is globally connected and attracts the highest-calibre research faculty. Work side by side with passionate scholars in modern facilities and with the support of numerous professional development workshops and services.
You are encouraged to review the awards and scholarship database to determine funding opportunities for your master’s degree. UBC invests significantly into its research programs and, combined with the International Tuition Award, offers most research-based Master programs at a comparable low tuition rate for domestic and international students alike.
About Vancouver
Vancouver is a dynamic, cosmopolitan and progressive city, consistently ranked as one of the top cities to live in the world. Canada’s third largest city has it all: sea, parks, mountains, beaches, and four seasons per year, including beautiful summers and mild, wet winters with snow in the mountains. It’s the perfect backdrop to your academic research.
Where to apply
E-mail: dliaomcp@mech.ubc.ca
Additional Information
Website for additional job details:
