The main research focus of the Biometeorology and Soil Physics Group of UBC (BIOMET) is to better understand the micrometeorological and physiological processes controlling carbon dioxide (CO2), water vapor (H2O), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O) and energy exchanges between terrestrial ecosystems and the atmosphere. Current projects are:
- Measuring greenhouse gas emissions in blueberry, potato and forage fields in the Lower Fraser Valley, and mitigation by developing best management practices (AGGP AA-FC)
- Increasing carbon sequestration and forest resilience by nitrogen fertilization of west-coast Douglas-fir stands (NSERC, CFI, BCFLNRORD, Island Timberlands)
- Measurements and modelling of the recovery of pine-dominated forest following mountain-pine-beetle infestation in the Interior BC (NSERC, CFI, BCFLNRORD, PICS)
- Monitoring fugitive CH4 emissions from liquid natural gas pads in northeast British Columbia (BC Geoscience, NRCan)
- Adaptation to climate change in horticultural production by using specialty plastic films as mulches or in low tunnels (CAI BCMA, AAFC, BCAC, Ardcorp, IAF)
- Understanding long-term trends and interannual variability in carbon, water and energy fluxes over conifer and deciduous boreal forest stands to determine climate sensitivity of carbon sequestration and water balance (CCAR NSERC)
PhD position available – September 2024
PhD graduate student position in a Canadian N2O flux network study
We have a 4-year fully-funded PhD graduate student position available in our Biometeorology and Soil Physics Group at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC. The project is part of a recently funded NSERC Alliance proposal “CANN2ONET-A Canadian Nitrous Oxide Collaboration Network to Meet GHG Emission Reduction Targets”. It is in collaboration with Dr. Claudia Wagner-Riddle, University of Guelph, and Dr. Joy Agnew and Herman Simons with the Smart Agriculture Applied Research program at Olds College Centre of Innovation (OCCI), Olds, Alberta. The PhD student will assist in setting up and maintaining a field experiment aimed at the year-round measurement of N2O emissions using the flux-gradient approach over a quadrant of four large plots growing cereal and pulse crops, with different management treatments to minimize N2O emissions while enhancing or maintaining crop yield in dryland farming. The project will also include the measurement of GHG emissions using closed, dynamic chambers. It would be beneficial if the candidate has a background in micrometeorology, some experience with flux and microclimate instrumentation, and the ability to work with large datasets using programming languages like MATLAB and R. There will be many opportunities to interact with members of the Network in measurement and modelling in this exciting new research initiative.
The starting date is September 2024 or as soon thereafter as possible. Please email enquiries and application, including a cover letter, email addresses of 2-3 references, and a CV, to Dr. Andy Black, andrew.black@ubc.ca.
MSc position available – September 2024
MSc graduate student position in a slurry manure GHG emissions project
We have a 2-year funded MSc graduate student position (salary $25k/year) available in Soil Science in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems on a research project at UBC Farm. The goal is to determine the effectiveness of a copper-based additive, Ocion BD41, in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from slurry manure during storage on dairy farms. Ocion BD41 is primarily used in treating sewage and waste water to decrease bacteria and odour. Our recent laboratory incubation research using the additive has shown considerable promise in decreasing GHG, especially CO2 and CH4, emissions. The research will involve measuring emissions weekly from tanks treated with different additive levels. The student will use a portable gas analysis system to monitor emissions during this winter (2024-2025) and conduct tests on plots with the treated manure applied in spring 2025. The student will be working with Drs. Andy Black and Sean Smukler. Please email enquiries, application and CV to Dr. Andy Black, andrew.black@ubc.ca.
Undergraduate research assistant – August 2024
Undergraduate research assistant required in a project at UBC Farm
Undergrad research assistant is required in a research project at UBC Farm. The goal is to determine the effectiveness of a copper additive in reducing GHG emissions from slurry manure during storage on dairy farms. The experiment which will involve measuring emissions weekly from tanks treated with different additive levels. The assistant will learn how to use a portable gas analysis system. Initially the assistant will help in setting up the experiment which will involve installing a set of plastic storage tanks at UBC Farm, constructing a platform and protective cover for the tanks, filling the tanks with slurry manure and testing the gas analysis system. There will be an opportunity to continue assisting in monitoring emissions during this fall and winter. The assistant will be working with Drs. Andy Black and Sean Smukler. Starting date is August 1, 2024 or soon after. Please email enquiries, application and CV to Dr. Andy Black, andrew.black@ubc.ca.
