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Philosophy and expectations for graduate students
Please read before inquiring about a position in my lab
Photo: Alex Tran
I am often looking for students and postdocs to work with me, or with other members of the lab on research projects. I am typically looking for a student who is passionate about at least one of our core research areas, dedicated to improving the world around them, and who will support a lab culture that values commitment, innovation, cooperation, achievement, fun, diversity, and a safe and inclusive work environment. While I expect you to have some background in the core subjects of our work (e.g., sustainability, ecology, or geography) as well as strong writing skills, the point of doing an MSc, PhD, or postdoc is to learn new skills and obtain new knowledge! I also welcome students with work experience and interests outside academia that they can bring to bear on their research.
My philosophy
My job is to help you do the best possible work that you can and to move you closer to your career goals and the contributions you want to make to science and society. I work with each student as an individual, helping each person make the most of their strengths and address any weakness that is standing in their way of a successful career. At the outset of your degree, we will have a meeting where we discuss your life and career goals so that I can help match them with your research plans, and ensure that you are using your time in graduate school to build the CV you need to pursue the career and life you want. I try to have this discussion regularly to make sure we’re still on track and to adjust to your changing goals.
My expectations
Graduate training is one of the most important tasks of a professor, and I tend to invest a lot of time and energy into students in my lab. I am thus very selective when it comes to choosing students. I work hard to provide my students with mentoring and advice, space to work, equipment, funding, connections to the broader world of ecology, and a positive lab community. In turn, I expect my students to take an active role in their education and to work hard to do the best work they can do and to make a contribution to ecology, to the lab, and to society. In other words: I put a lot of energy into your training and I expect you to do the same. If you work hard and are a good lab citizen, you will reap benefits.
Each student will, of course, need to sort out a work-life balance that makes them the happiest and most productive. A focus on quality in your work is important - the quality of time you put in matters more than working many hours. True excellence requires dedication and hard work, but it also requires some downtime. I will not tell you how much vacation you should or shouldn’t take, and you’re welcome to work when and where you are most effective. However, I do expect you to keep in contact with me about your progress.
Finally, financial support is critical. If you want a position in my lab, and flexibility in terms of project choice, the best option is to come with your own funding. However, you can apply for a position in my lab even if you don’t have a graduate fellowship or
scholarship. That said, I expect you to seek out your own funding to the greatest extent possible. You should be talking with me about applying for NSERC, FQRNT, and other scholarships. In particular, US and other foreign students may find that obtaining funding is substantially more challenging, partly because many funding opportunities are directed only to Canadian citizens. Nevertheless, feel free to reach out (regardless of whether you are a Canadian or foreign student) and we can work together to see if we can assemble a funding package that will work.
How to join us
If you think you meet these criteria and are interested in joining the lab, please write to me with a clear description of the type of research you want to do and why you think you’re a good fit for the lab. The more specific you can be about your interests, the better, as this will help us sort out whether there is a good match. Please include your CV and (unofficial) transcripts if possible.
This document is an abbreviated version of a longer document intended for incoming students.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
KEY INFORMATION
Departmental Deadlines for Application:
Canadian residents and citizens:
Funding sources:
For Canadians and Permanent Residents:
My philosophy
My job is to help you do the best possible work that you can and to move you closer to your career goals and the contributions you want to make to science and society. I work with each student as an individual, helping each person make the most of their strengths and address any weakness that is standing in their way of a successful career. At the outset of your degree, we will have a meeting where we discuss your life and career goals so that I can help match them with your research plans, and ensure that you are using your time in graduate school to build the CV you need to pursue the career and life you want. I try to have this discussion regularly to make sure we’re still on track and to adjust to your changing goals.
My expectations
Graduate training is one of the most important tasks of a professor, and I tend to invest a lot of time and energy into students in my lab. I am thus very selective when it comes to choosing students. I work hard to provide my students with mentoring and advice, space to work, equipment, funding, connections to the broader world of ecology, and a positive lab community. In turn, I expect my students to take an active role in their education and to work hard to do the best work they can do and to make a contribution to ecology, to the lab, and to society. In other words: I put a lot of energy into your training and I expect you to do the same. If you work hard and are a good lab citizen, you will reap benefits.
Each student will, of course, need to sort out a work-life balance that makes them the happiest and most productive. A focus on quality in your work is important - the quality of time you put in matters more than working many hours. True excellence requires dedication and hard work, but it also requires some downtime. I will not tell you how much vacation you should or shouldn’t take, and you’re welcome to work when and where you are most effective. However, I do expect you to keep in contact with me about your progress.
Finally, financial support is critical. If you want a position in my lab, and flexibility in terms of project choice, the best option is to come with your own funding. However, you can apply for a position in my lab even if you don’t have a graduate fellowship or
scholarship. That said, I expect you to seek out your own funding to the greatest extent possible. You should be talking with me about applying for NSERC, FQRNT, and other scholarships. In particular, US and other foreign students may find that obtaining funding is substantially more challenging, partly because many funding opportunities are directed only to Canadian citizens. Nevertheless, feel free to reach out (regardless of whether you are a Canadian or foreign student) and we can work together to see if we can assemble a funding package that will work.
How to join us
If you think you meet these criteria and are interested in joining the lab, please write to me with a clear description of the type of research you want to do and why you think you’re a good fit for the lab. The more specific you can be about your interests, the better, as this will help us sort out whether there is a good match. Please include your CV and (unofficial) transcripts if possible.
This document is an abbreviated version of a longer document intended for incoming students.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
KEY INFORMATION
Departmental Deadlines for Application:
Canadian residents and citizens:
- March 15th for September registration
- October 15th for January registration
- January 15th for September registration
- August 15th for January registration
Funding sources:
For Canadians and Permanent Residents:
- FQRNT funding: http://www.fqrnt.gouv.qc.ca/nateq/bourses/
- NSERC funding: http://www.nserc.ca/index.htm
- Fellowships: http://www.mcgill.ca/gps/postdocs/fellowships
Interested students should also look at the following web-sites for information about graduate school at McGill:
http://www.mcgill.ca/nrs/
http://www.mcgill.ca/nrs/graduate/
http://www.mcgill.ca/mse
http://www.mcgill.ca/mse/programs/envroption/