Vacancies

Funded PhD position studying the impacts of exposure to soil pesticide residues on soil dependent bees

Project description: we are seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic student for a 4-year funded PhD position investigating the risks and impacts of pesticide residues in soil on soil-dependent bees. Pesticide usage is an integral part of modern farming, but there are also concerns about the environmental impacts of using these chemicals. Particular concerns have arisen regarding the unintended impacts of exposure to pesticides for insect pollinators and the essential ecosystem services they provide to both crops and wild plants. While most of the research to date has focused on how insect pollinators might be exposed to pesticides via above-ground routes (e.g., consumption of contaminated nectar and/or pollen, exposure to spray drift or dust from planting of treated seeds), the implications of exposure to pesticide residues in soil for wild bee pollinators are currently not well understood. As approximately 70% of all bee species depend on soil for at least some stages of their lifecycle, the potential for exposure to pesticide residues in soil, and the impacts of such exposure, requires further research.

This project will investigate implications of exposure to pesticide residues in soil for a variety of bees, including solitary ground-nesting bees (e.g., the hoary squash bee Xenoglossa pruinosa) and bumble bee queens. The PhD project will involve a range of experimental work in both lab and semi-field conditions. This position is part of the Horizon Europe funded ProPollSoil project (entitled “Understanding and managing soil health impacts to protect soil-dependent pollinators”). As such, this PhD position will be part of the larger project and network of researchers. The PhD student is expected to work closely with Dr. Dara Stanley and colleagues at University College Dublin, Ireland as part of this project.

Supervisor: the PhD student will be supervised by Prof. Nigel Raine as part of the Raine Lab in the School of Environmental Sciences at the University of Guelph.

Qualifications: the project is suited to applicants with a strong background in behavioural ecology, ecology, conservation, entomology, zoology, environmental sciences, agricultural sciences, ecotoxicology or related disciplines. Applicants should hold a Masters degree (e.g. MSc) in a suitable research field. Prior research experience, particularly working with insects in the laboratory or field, is desirable.

How to apply: please email the following files to Prof. Raine (nraine@uoguelph.ca) with the subject line “Soil pesticide PhD application” by 21 August 2026: (1) a covering letter detailing your interest and motivations for applying for and working on the PhD project (max. 2 pages); (2) a CV detailing research and other relevant experience and the contact details of two academic/scientific references; (3) copies of unofficial University transcripts for previous degrees; and (4) an example of scientific writing (e.g., an essay, manuscript, lab report or publication). Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. The anticipated start date is September 2026.

Other Opportunities

I am always interested in discussing collaborations or potential project ideas, so if you’d like to get in contact please email me at nraine@uoguelph.ca

PhD and Masters

I am happy to discuss potential graduate student opportunities and projects with prospective students. There are a number of scholarships available to students interested in pursuing a PhD or MSc by research, such as those available through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) or the Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) programs.

Post Docs

I am happy to discuss potential postdoc opportunities and applications to join the team, and explore ways in which to secure funding to support these activities.

Research associates and interns

There are often opportunities for undergraduate students to participate in a range of research projects, particularly during the summer field season. So please get in touch if you’d like to work with us!