Interested in Joining Us?
Concordia is an English-speaking University in the vibrant and diverse city of Montreal, Quebec. Our lab is based in the Department of Biology on Loyola Campus - a beautiful green campus in the western part of the city, but within reach of downtown. Students  have numerous opportunities to learn and collaborate outside the lab, especially given the presence of 4 universities in Montreal, as well as affiliations with the Quebec Centre for Biodiversity Science, Centre d’étude de la forêt and Concordia's Next Generation Cities Institute.

I have diverse interests in the fields of urban ecology, landscape ecology, human-nature relationships, social-ecological systems, and biodiversity science, and am always happy to discuss opportunities with creative, enthusiastic, and motivated undergraduate and graduate students. Graduate research projects can be developed with close ties to ongoing research in the lab, or based on particular student interests if applicable to our work and expertise. Research in our lab typically combines fieldwork with laboratory and/or computer analysis, with most data collection occurring in the summer in urban or peri-urban areas. Please take a look through the Research and Publications pages to get an idea of our recent and on-going projects. Interested students are encouraged to contact Dr. Carly Ziter directly ([email protected]) to discuss available projects, funding opportunities, or specific research ideas they may have. Please include your CV, (unofficial) transcript, and a description of why you want to join the lab. 

Note that our lab does not typically accept regular volunteers, as we strongly believe that paid positions are an important component of achieving a more equitable, diverse STEM workforce (see more in our mentoring philosophy, below). We do occasionally invite volunteers to join us for short-term events (such as community science events or field days). If you would like to be included on a an email list for these opportunities, please let us know.
Mentoring Philosophy
My training philosophy for the Ziter Urban Landscape Ecology (ZULE) lab is rooted in the Kindness in Science movement, and the feminist reflexive approach of “care-full” research, which emphasize that a scientific community built on reciprocity, respect, and promoting the wellbeing of those we interact with ultimately leads to happier scientists and better scientific outcomes. It is around these values that all lab members continue to co-create the lab culture. Through this kind and care-full approach to training I aim for trainees to leave ZULE appropriately confident in their skills as scientists and mentors, with a deep respect for the people and communities on which our science depends, and with a robust network of colleagues across multiple sectors and career stages.

In ZULE, we prioritize creation of a safe, inclusive, and kind community to promote scientific excellence. This requires actions to overcome EDI barriers including a lack of diverse representation, low stipends, and culture of overwork in field ecology. We pay competitively (avg. grad stipend is currently > 30K/y, double the departmental minimum), including pay and/or course credit for all undergraduate trainees. We prioritize local fieldwork to create opportunities for HQP otherwise excluded from field ecology (e.g., with caregiving responsibilities, health constraints, lack of outdoor experience). To push back against cultures of overwork and undervaluing personal safety, we emphasize a culture of caring and accountability by co-developing lab policies re: field safety, sick days, flexible hours, and vacation. I use my own experience and trainee feedback to provide resources to ensure lab members thrive.
 
Within ZULE, we focus on the natural sciences and engineering, but engage non-NSE scholars to promote interdisciplinarity and to help us contextualize our work; e.g., ecology trainees may work directly with colleagues in design, political science, or engineering. I prioritize skill-building in scientific techniques, leadership, and communication valuable in and out of academia.

Ways to join the lab (and current opportunities):

Undergraduate Students
We often hire undergraduates for summer research opportunities, and encourage students to apply for summer research funding through Concordia's Undergraduate Research Opportunities (see current opportunities, below). The best time to contact Carly about summer research is early in the Winter semester. Students can also obtain credits for independent research done in the lab through Concordia's BSc Honours' program (BIOL490), Science College (SCOL 290, SCOL 391), or the Loyola College for Diversity and Sustainability (LOYC398). Please contact Ian Ferguson for more information regarding undergraduate  research in biology, Rebecca Tittler for more information regarding undergraduate research in Sustainability, and Patricia Paul regarding Science College
CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES: 
If you are a sustainability student looking for directed study or internship project, please reach out to discuss possibilities.
Graduate Students
While the lab sometimes has funding for new graduate students (see current opportunities, below), eligible candidates are also encouraged to apply for independent research funding (e.g. through NSERC, FRQNT). Carly is happy to help you work through these applications (but be aware that deadlines are often far in advance of admission!). Concordia also offers fellowships for very strong applicants (considered at time of application). You can read more about the Biology graduate program here.
​CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES: 
1) FILLED We are recruiting a graduate student (MSc, but possibility for PhD) in Summer/Fall 2026 to work on a multi-city (Quebec/Montreal/Vancouver) project focused on characterizing the relative contributions of private vs. public lands to connectivity, biodiversity (tree/bird/bat) and climate-related ecosystem services. Position based in Montreal or Quebec city, co-advised with Dr. Janani Sivarajah as part of the CRAUM. Full advertisement in english here, et en français ici.

2) APPLICATIONS CLOSED We will be recruiting a PhD student in 2026 to work on urban heat mitigation, in collaboration with colleagues in Engineering, as part of a Volt-Age project "Transforming Built and Urban Microclimates: Advancing Resilience Science for Vulnerable Populations in a Decarbonized and Electrified Canada". Full advertisement in english here.

3) We will soon be recruiting graduate students/PDFs to work with the Birds and Trees team co-advised by Dr Barbara Frei. Ads to come, but informal inquiries are welcome. 
Postdocs
Any open positions are posted below. Additionally, there are provincial (FRQNT), and national (NSERC) funding opportunities for Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Additional funding opportunities for postdoctoral work in Canada include Liber Ero, and Mitacs. Please contact Carly if you are interested in working on an application together.
CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES: 
1) FILLED We are recruiting a PDF to work on a multi-city (Quebec/Montreal/Vancouver) project focused on characterizing the relative contributions of private vs. public lands to connectivity, biodiversity, and climate-related ecosystem services. Position based at Concordia, in collaboration with colleagues at UBC, Université Laval, and Environment and Climate Change Canada. Possibility for remote work within Canada can be discussed. Full advertisement in english here, et en français ici.
***We also (occasionally) hire motivated, creative students outside of the above opportunities. If you think your interests and experience are a strong fit with the lab, and would like to discuss other opportunities, please contact me directly ([email protected]). Please note that it is extremely rare that I can support international MSc students due to funding structures. ​

A general note for (graduate/PDF) applicants:

If you are applying for a specific, advertised graduate or postdoc position, please refer to that position's advertisement for guidance (and mention the opportunity you are applying to in your email). However, if you are applying to the lab generally, read on...

​Rather than proposing a specific project, I prefer to work closely with students to develop a project idea they are excited about. Particular project directions may include (but are not limited to):
  • Characterizing relationships among biodiversity and multiple ES provided by green infrastructure. eg: 
    • Does a variety of urban green space types improve landscape multifunctionality? 
    • Which aspects of biodiversity are most strongly correlated with urban ES?
  • ​​The role of urban landscape structure in moderating biodiversity and ES provision. eg: 
    • ​Does configuration of urban green space - especially land sharing vs. sparing approaches to development - drive spatial   tradeoffs among biodiversity and ES? 
    • Can we leverage private management to scale up biodiversity and/or ES provision in a high-density city?
  • Ecosystem services (and particularly climate adaptation) provided by the urban forest. eg:
    • ​How will interacting drivers (impervious surfaces, tree canopy, weather conditions) affect urban temperatures in a future warmer climate?
    • How will direct and indirect changes in biodiversity alter forest-based ecosystem services?

Note: The lab currently has particular expertise in tree/plant biodiversity, and climate and regulating ecosystem services (e.g. those related to soil properties and nutrients, carbon storage, temperature regulation). Studying additional services/taxa may be an option depending on the interests and expertise of the applicant, and funding sources available. Co-supervision is also an option.