McGill University in Canada is offering fully funded research opportunities for graduate students interested in Arctic sea ice and remote sensing. The Polar Remote Sensing Research Group is recruiting at least one MSc student and one PhD student for positions beginning in Fall 2027.
The research focuses on radar remote sensing and the monitoring of Arctic sea ice. Undergraduate students may also find research opportunities through the laboratory and related university research funding programs.
McGill University Research Scholarship Summary
- Host Country: Canada
- University: McGill University
- Study Level: MSc, PhD, and undergraduate research opportunities
- Eligible Countries: International students
- Field: Remote Sensing, Geography, Environmental Science, Physics, Engineering, Computer Science and related fields
- Funding: Tuition support and monthly living stipend for graduate positions
- Deadline: January 15, 2027
McGill University Research Scholarship Details
The Polar Remote Sensing Research Group at McGill University is recruiting at least one MSc student and one PhD student to conduct research on Arctic sea ice using radar remote sensing technologies.
The graduate positions are fully funded through a combination of awards, research assistantships and teaching assistantships.
The research group investigates remote sensing technologies for monitoring sea ice, supported by field research in the Arctic.
PhD Research Position
The PhD project will examine Arctic sea ice using multi-frequency Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR).
Applicants should have:
- An MSc in remote sensing, geography, physics, engineering or a closely related discipline.
- Practical experience working with radar data.
- Knowledge of radar backscatter and polarimetry.
- Advanced programming skills.
- Experience working with large raster datasets, cloud platforms or machine learning is an advantage.
- An interest in participating in Arctic field campaigns.
- Strong scientific writing skills.
- A first-author publication or manuscript in preparation is preferred.
MSc Research Position
The MSc project will focus on using SAR data to characterize sea ice in the Canadian Arctic.
Applicants should have:
- A BSc in geography, environmental science, physics, engineering, computer science or a related field.
- Advanced programming skills.
- Coursework or project experience involving satellite imagery is an advantage.
- A background in remote sensing, GIS or geophysics.
- An interest in Arctic fieldwork.
- Canadian citizens and permanent residents will receive preference for this position.
General Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must also:
- Meet the graduate admission requirements of McGill University’s Department of Geography.
- Meet McGill University’s English language requirements.
- Have experience in scientific programming and handling remote sensing data.
Candidates should review the specific requirements for their intended graduate program before applying.
Benefits of McGill University Research Scholarship 2027
Graduate students selected for the funded positions may receive:
- Tuition coverage for the duration of the program.
- Monthly financial support to cover living expenses.
- Research and teaching assistantship opportunities.
- Opportunities to participate in Arctic field research.
Undergraduate students may also access research funding through research grants, the Science Undergraduate Research Awards (SURA) and NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA), subject to the relevant eligibility requirements.
How to Apply for McGill University Research Scholarship 2027
Interested applicants should follow these steps:
- Review the research positions and requirements on the McGill Arctic Research website.
- Contact Dr. Mallik Mahmud at mallik.mahmud@mcgill.ca to discuss research interests, suitability and project feasibility.
- Include your CV, academic transcript and a brief explanation of why you are a strong fit for the position in your email.
- Prepare for the formal graduate application to McGill University’s Department of Geography.
- Ensure that the application is submitted before the relevant graduate admission deadline.
The positions are scheduled to begin in Fall 2027.
The Fall graduate admission deadline for the Geography Department is January 15, 2027. Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the research supervisor early to discuss their research interests and suitability for the project.
📋 Required Documents
- Academic Transcripts
- English language proficiency documents where required by McGill
- Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Relevant academic certificates or degree documents
- A brief explanation of why the applicant is a strong fit for the research position
- Evidence of relevant research, programming, remote sensing or GIS experience where applicable
- Any additional documents required for graduate admission to the Department of Geography