Graduate Opportunities

Join Our Research Team!

Dr. Valeo is actively seeking motivated and talented graduate students (Master’s and Ph.D.) to join her research group in Environmental Informatics and Urban Water Resources Engineering at the University of Victoria.

🎓 Current Opportunities

Ph.D. Positions Available

We have fully-funded Ph.D. positions available for Fall 2026 and Winter 2027 intake. Successful candidates will receive:

• Competitive stipend and tuition coverage
• Research assistantship opportunities
• Access to state-of-the-art facilities
• Opportunities for international collaboration

Master’s Positions

Multiple M.A.Sc. (thesis-based) positions are available for qualified candidates with strong academic backgrounds and research interests aligned with our group.

🔬 Research Areas

Our research group focuses on sustainable solutions for urban water challenges through:

1. Low Impact Development (LID) Technologies

• Permeable pavements and porous asphalt
• Bioretention cells and rain gardens
• Green roofs and rainwater tree trenches
• Performance in Canadian cold climates

2. Urban Stormwater Management

• SWMM and PCSWMM modeling
• Climate change impact assessment
• Flood mitigation strategies
• Urban heat island reduction

3. Water Quality Modeling

• Microbial contamination in stormwater
• Heavy metal removal and treatment
• Watershed-scale water quality assessment
• Environmental risk analysis

4. Environmental Informatics

• Remote sensing and GIS applications
• Hydrological modeling with uncertainty quantification
• Fuzzy logic and machine learning for environmental systems
• Data-driven decision support tools

💰 Funding Opportunities

Graduate students in our group have access to various funding sources:

• NSERC Scholarships (CGS-M, CGS-D, PGS-D)
• UVic Fellowships and Graduate Awards
• Research Assistantships from active grants
• Teaching Assistantships through the Department
• Conference Travel Support for presenting research

📋 Minimum Requirements

For Master’s Applicants:

• B.Sc. or B.Eng. in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related fields
• Strong academic record (minimum GPA: 3.5/4.0 or equivalent)
• Proficiency in English (TOEFL iBT 90+ or IELTS 6.5+ for international students)
• Background in fluid mechanics, hydrology, or environmental engineering
• Programming experience (Python, MATLAB, R) is an asset

For Ph.D. Applicants:

• M.Sc. or M.Eng. (thesis-based) in related field
• Excellent academic record (minimum GPA: 3.7/4.0)
• Strong research experience with publications preferred
• Demonstrated ability for independent research
• Advanced programming and modeling skills

🌟 What We Offer

World-Class Facilities

• Environmental hydraulics laboratory
• Water quality testing equipment
• High-performance computing resources
• Field monitoring equipment

Collaborative Environment

• Work with researchers from UVic and University of Calgary
• Partnerships with City of Vancouver and other municipalities
• Industry collaborations (environmental consultancies, technology companies)
• International research networks

Professional Development

• Conference presentations and publications
• Grant writing experience
• Teaching and mentorship opportunities
• Networking with industry professionals

Beautiful Location

• Study in Victoria, BC - one of Canada’s most livable cities
• Mild climate year-round
• Access to outdoor recreation (hiking, cycling, ocean activities)
• Vibrant cultural scene

📬 How to Apply

Step 1: Contact Dr. Valeo

Before applying formally, please send an email to valeo@uvic.ca with:

1. Subject line: “Prospective Graduate Student - [Your Name]”
2. CV/Resume (max 2 pages)
3. Unofficial transcripts from all post-secondary institutions
4. Brief statement (1 page) describing:
   • Your research interests
   • How they align with our group’s work
   • Your career goals
   • Relevant experience and skills
5. Contact information for 2-3 references

Step 2: Formal Application

If invited to proceed, apply through the official channels:

• University of Victoria Graduate Admissions: www.uvic.ca/graduate
• Department of Mechanical Engineering: www.uvic.ca/engineering/mechanical

Application Deadlines:

• Fall Intake: January 15 (funding consideration), March 31 (final deadline)
• Winter Intake: September 1

🎯 Student Success Stories

Recent Graduates:

• 15+ Ph.D. graduates now working in academia, government, and industry
• 20+ Master’s graduates in environmental consulting, municipal engineering, and research
• Multiple awards won by our students (best paper awards, scholarships)
• High publication rate - students co-author papers in top-tier journals

Current Projects:

• Urban forestry and climate change mitigation (Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions)
• Stormwater bioretention systems optimization
• Microbial contamination in urban waterways
• Green infrastructure performance monitoring

🌐 Learn More

• Lab Website: Check our Research Team page
• Recent Publications: Publications page
• UVic Mechanical Engineering: uvic.ca/engineering/mechanical
• Graduate Studies at UVic: uvic.ca/graduate

❓ Frequently Asked Questions