Rationale

Climate simulations predict an increase of rain events in the Arctic. Rain might become predominant over snow falls in the next decades. These rains are expected to trigger mass movements such as active layer detachment slides and retrogressive thaw slumps due to heat advection related to rain water infiltration. In 2019, such a rain-triggered event has been characterized in the field on Bylot Island, Nunavut.

Main goal and work
This internship aims at introducing the student to physical modeling in large permafrost simulators of the Geocryolab, directed by Prof. D. Fortier. The intern will work in collaboration with Prof. Fortier and Prof. Langlois (U. Lyon, France and invited researcher in Montreal for 2024-2025), who will act as supervisors.

The work will include testing of permafrost material (thermal conductivity, heat capacity, grain size distribution, etc) to support physical and numerical modelings. As such the intern will learn laboratory techniques to characterize the physical properties of the sediments. The other part of the intership will be to conduct physical modeling in itself by using large-scale models of permafrost in permafrost cells (1m3) and simulating mass movements in permafrost simulator (large temperature-controlled cold room) able to reproduce arctic climate.

Deliverables

-  Laboratory results in a usable format (.xls, .csv or equivalent)

-  Laboratory report of physical modeling tests (step-by-step illustrated guide to support results reproductability)

-  Short critical essay, supported by the literature, on the modeling results

How to apply

Send a CV, academic transcripts and a motivation letter to Prof. Daniel Fortier (daniel.fortier@umontreal.ca). Internship will start as soon as possible.