Context : The expected increase in wildfires in boreal regions as a result of climate change has raised interest in the question of which factors contribute to fire hazard. The place of old-growth forests in these questions is still undetermined, largely because the term “old-growth” refers to stands particularly heterogeneous in terms of disturbance history, structure and composition. At the same time, these forests provide essential habitats and ecosystem services that are distinct from younger forests. A better understanding of their role in forest fire dynamics is therefore essential to develop management solutions that limit the impact of climate change on old-growth forests. To achieve this, it is important to determine how the vulnerability of old-growth forests to fire is structured. The study of forest fuels and their spatial distribution are initial sources of information, but the composition of bryophyte communities could also play an important role in understanding fire history. Bryophytes are indeed an important component of boreal forests, but display a wide diversity of fire adaptation traits.

The objectives of this PhD are to 1) quantify fuel heterogeneity in old-growth boreal forests, 2) using bryophytes as bioindicators of stand microclimatic conditions and historical fire regimes, and 3) determine how stand vulnerability to fire is spatially structured in old-growth clumps. To answer these questions, we will benefit from a network of over a hundred plots located in old growth boreal forests in Quebec, for which dendrochronological, structural, compositional and habitat data are available. The results of these analyses will be promoted and disseminated in the form of scientific publications, conference presentations and outreach activities.

Project starting dates: Fall 2026 (September - December) or winter 2027 (January - April) sessions

Profile desired: We're looking for someone with a passion for questions related to the ecology of forest ecosystems, natural disturbances and/or botany. A Master's degree in biology, ecology, forest sciences or a related field is required. The quality of the academic record and the demonstration of high research potential will be among the criteria taken into account in the evaluation of applications. However, we attach equal importance to qualities such as curiosity, creativity, autonomy and the ability to work as part of a team. Experience in bryology or forest fires is a plus. Since the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue is a French-speaking university, proficiency in French or a desire to learn this language will be an advantage in the evaluation of applications. Candidates shortlisted on the basis of their application will then be contacted for an interview.

Scholarship: A research scholarship of $24,000 CAD/year for four years will be awarded to the successful candidate.

Location and direction: The selected candidate will be based at the Institut de recherche sur les forêts (IRF) at the Rouyn-Noranda campus of the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT). He or she will be supervised by Maxence Martin (IRF-UQAT), a specialist in old-growth forest dynamics, Nicole J. Fenton (UQAT), an expert in boreal bryology, and Jonathan Boucher (Canadian Forest Service, Natural Resources Canada), a specialist in forest fire dynamics.