Mapping and Characterization of Permafrost Conditions in the Polar Desert of

Grise Fiord, Canadian Arctic Archipelago

This call is part of the research project Coastal Adaptation Strategies in Nunavut (NU-COAST), funded by Natural Resources Canada (2024–2027). This interdisciplinary, interuniversity project is based on collaborative research with Inuit communities in Nunavut and is integrated into a coastal dynamics monitoring program initiated in 2021 in Kugluktuk and Grise Fiord. Arctic coastlines are among the most affected by the rapid impacts of climate change, with Inuit communities, primarily situated in coastal regions, being particularly vulnerable. This master’s project aims to document and map the geothermal and geotechnical permafrost conditions in the coastal zone of Grise Fiord to support the adaptation of construction practices and land-use planning to local permafrost conditions and climate-related hazards. Fieldwork will be conducted in Grise Fiord (Nunavut) in collaboration with the local community, the Geocryolab (Université de Montréal), and the Laboratory for Northern and Arctic Coastal Studies (Université du Québec à Rimouski).

Applicant Profile

• Bachelor’s degree in physical geography, environmental sciences, or a related field

• Ability to communicate, read, and write in both French and English

• Experience working in remote regions and/or Indigenous contexts (an asset)

Funding

Funding of $21,000 per year is guaranteed for a period of two years, with the possibility of additional employment as a teaching assistant in the Department of Geography at Université de Montréal. The selected candidate will be encouraged to apply for institutional, provincial, and national research scholarships.

Start Date: Summer or fall 2026.

Application deadline: March 6, 2026, or until the position is filled.

Supervisory team: Daniel Fortier (University of Montreal), Stéphanie Coulombe (Polar Knowledge Canada), Julie Malenfant-Lepage (Norwegian University of Science and Technology), and David Didier (UQAR).