PhD Opportunity in Marine Seismology

We are seeking motivated PhD candidates to join our research group at Dalhousie University (Halifax, Nova Scotia), home of Canada's National Facility for Seismological Investigations (NFSI). The NFSI has been rapidly accumulating ocean-bottom seismometer (OBS) data from the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic oceans around Canada, including current deployments over the Queen Charlotte Fault in British Columbia and the Baffin Bay Seismic Zone in Nunavut, Canada’s eastern Arctic.

PhD candidates will have the opportunity to engage with one or more of these exciting data sets to complete research within the following key research themes:

  1. Earthquakes and Seismic Hazard – Investigating offshore seismicity, earthquake source processes, and their implications for seismic hazard.
  2. Seismic Tomography and Tectonic Structure – Imaging subsurface structures to understand regional tectonic evolution.
  3. Acoustic Oceanography – Analyzing ambient noise to study oceanographic conditions and dynamics, as well as discovering the presence, behavior, and migration patterns of baleen whales.

Position Details:

  • Fully funded PhD position with competitive stipend and research support.
  • Opportunities for fieldwork (OBS deployment/retrieval cruises) and conference travel.
  • Flexible start date.

Candidate Profile:

  • Master’s degree in geophysics or a related field strongly preferred.
  • Experience with earthquake seismology, seismic data analysis, signal processing, and/or numerical modeling.
  • Strong writing and communication skills.
  • Programming skills (Python, MATLAB, or similar).
  • Enthusiastic, proactive, and enjoys working as part of a team.

If you are excited about exploring the deep Earth and ocean through seismology, we encourage you to apply! To express your interest, please send the following to Alexandre Plourde (ap.plourde@dal.ca):

  • A cover letter explaining your motivation and research interests
  • Your CV and a copy of any previous publications
  • University Transcripts (unofficial transcripts are fine at this stage)
  • Contact information for 2-3 references

Dalhousie is committed to continually championing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA) to create a culture of mutual respect, accountability and collaboration for all. We encourage applications from women, persons with disabilities, Indigenous peoples (First Nations, Metis and Inuit), Black and members of racialized peoples, individuals in the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and others who may contribute to the diversification of ideas.