Funded PhD Position in Robotic Water-sampling

The University of British Columbia (UBC); Canada; On-site; CAD 31,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research university is inviting applications for MASc/PhD positions focused on developing a drone-based platform for autonomous robotic water-quality sampling in Vancouver, Canada. The role requires a Bachelor's or Master’s in engineering, strong communication skills, and an interest in interdisciplinary research. This is a funded position with a salary stipend starting at $31,000 for MASc and $40,000 for PhD students. Relevant experience in optimization, machine learning, or robotics is desirable.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor's or Master’s degree in engineering (or a related field) is required.
• Background in robotics and/or aerospace engineering is helpful but not required.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development of a drone-based water data acquisition platform.
• Collaborate with communities to co-develop the platform.
• Design and implement data collection routines and manage data transmission.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Optimization

Machine learning

Control systems

Robotics

Education

Bachelor's or Master’s degree in engineering

Job description

Overview

The University of British Columbia (UBC) invites applications for MASc/PhD positions in autonomous robotic water-quality sampling in Vancouver, Canada. These funded positions are part of the CLEAR project in collaboration with Rogers and the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre, with opportunities in algorithmic, computational, and applied aspects.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development of a drone-based platform for rapid, in-situ water data acquisition at scale.
• Collaborate with coastal communities to co-develop the platform and improve resiliency to climate events.
• Design and implement autonomous data collection routines; manage data transmission in real time over cellular networks; support processing and visualization on a custom cloud platform.

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 or project experience in optimization, machine learning, control systems, or robotics is desirable.
• No other specific qualifications beyond a willingness to learn within an interdisciplinary team.

Application and Contact

Submit documents by email to dliaomcp {at} mech.ubc.ca and adrien.desjardins {at} ubc.ca as a single .pdf file. Include a resume/CV and a cover letter/statement of intent (including relevant experience and research interests). Use the subject line: [CLEAR application]: LastName, FirstName. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an online interview and provided instructions for a formal application. This position can be hosted in either Mechanical or Electrical Engineering.

Key dates include First review on November 10, 2025, and Last review on January 15, 2026. The salary ranges include a minimum yearly stipend of $40,000 for PhD students and $31,000 for MASc students, with potential top-ups for award holders. Income from teaching assistant positions stacks on top.

Reference number: EU-58790. The posting is for the UBC Vancouver campus in British Columbia, Canada.

About UBC

UBC is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top public universities. The university supports bold thinking and innovation in research and graduate education.