Join The Lab
Join
Join the Ensminger lab in the Department of Biology at the University of Toronto. Check out this page frequently and find out what we are up to.
I am a Plant Physiologist. Researchers in my lab study plant-environment-interactions. We use different approaches, ranging from experiments in climate controlled growth chambers, greenhouses, experimental plots in the field or natural field sites. We use biophysical methods to assess performance of plants, and molecular biology and next generation sequencing approaches to study transcriptome dynamics in non-model plant species. We also use remote sensing approaches for high-throughput plant phenotyping and studying vegetation dynamics and estimating biomass. I am always looking for students who are passionate about the physiology of plants and the mechanisms by which plants adjust function to changing environmental conditions.
NEW POSITION immediately open (April 2023):
Postdoc/Research Associate
Check out the Open Positions sections below for more details
Send your full application package (1 PDF) to ensmingerlab@utoronto.c
Deadline for applications April 30, 2023. However, applications will be accepted until the positions are filled.
Postdocs
If you are interested to apply to the NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship program or the European Marie-Curie programme (If you are from the EC you can apply for postdoctoral fellowships abroad!) you are welcome to contact Ingo Ensminger. We are looking for people with new perspectives and skills to join our lab for working on the physiology of plants, global change and photosynthesis. You are the right peson if you have a strong background, interest and passion in the areas of molecular physiology of plants, biochemistry of plants, photosynthesis, boreal forests and trees, global change or bioinformatics.
Grad Students
Contact me at any time if you have questions about graduate studies. You should share our interest in the physiology of plants, global change and photosynthesis. Ideally you have some undergraduate research experience in plant physiology. NSERC has a program in place that helps Canadian students getting supplement support from the University of Toronto. See NSERC Graduate Fellowship Programs for more information. If you are a candidate from the US, you might want to check-out the NSF graduate research fellowship program. It covers 3 years of studies in Canada the Fulbright Canada Stem program which covers 1 year. Make sure you check the deadlines early.
Undergraduate Students
Undergraduate students have a range of options to get involved in my lab and our projects. If you see your future in plant sciences, you should consider Bio481 offered by the Department of Biology. Project are usually done during the fall/winter term. For summer students, NSERC offers the NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awards program and UTM offers the Reseach Opportunity Program (ROP). We also have students involved in our lab through the Work-Study program.
Open Positions
Postdoc/Research Associate and PhD/MSc Structure and function of trees using drone-based remote sensing
The Ensminger Lab is soliciting applications for a postdoctoral/research associate position. This project will combine the next generation of high-throughput drone-based phenotyping platforms, plant ecophysiological and genomics approaches to understand forest dynamics and tree resilience to climate change impacts. The positions are part of a large project with researchers from the University of Toronto, Université Laval, Natural Resources Canada and the Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs in Québec.
Successful applicants will work in Toronto in an interdisciplinary team of researchers and closely collaborate with partners at the of the four participating organizations. If you have a background or interest in one or several of the following areas, you should send us your application: Remote sensing of vegetation, data sciences, bioinformatics, statistical modeling, (eco)physiology of trees, climate change.
Postdoc/Research Associate Position
Qualifications
Postdoc/Research Associate remote sensing of vegetation and ecophysiology
The successful candidate will take leads in the FastPheno project activities on drone-based collection and processing of hyperspectral and LiDAR data from multiple experimental field sites and forest stands located in Quebec and Southern Ontario.
PROFILE – Candidates must hold a PhD in remote sensing, plant biology, forestry, or a related field. Strong background in remote sensing and big data analysis and experience with machine learning algorithms is required. Experience with retrieval of plant physiological and structural information using hyperspectral or LiDAR information is an advantage.
All postdoctoral candidates must have received their PhD after January 2019. Candidates must have strong verbal and written communication skills, willingness to work independently and in a collaborative team environment, and proven capability to publish in peer-review journals.
PhD/MSc Position
Grad students– forest dynamics – growth, canopy structure and ecophysiology
The PhD/MSc student will investigate climate adaptation in trees. Focus will on detecting drought and heat stress responses. Candidates will use leaf spectral reflectance and chlorophyll-a fluorescence approaches and couple leaf scale with canopy scale data with the goal to derive predictive models for tree level growth, structure, physiology and health from remote sensing data.
PROFILE – PhD candidates must hold an undergraduate or master’s degree in plant biology, forestry, or a related field. Experience in one or more of the following areas: Plant physiology, ecophysiology, plant molecular biology, ecology. Experience or an interest in learning programming languages such as Python, Rcran tools or Matlab for the analysis of large data sets is an advantage.
HOW TO APPLY TO THE ABOVE POSITIONS
Potential applicants should send their CV, a list with the names and contact information of 2-3 references and a max. one 1 page cover letter in a single PDF file to ensmingerlab@utoronto.ca. Use the words Ensminger Lab Application in the subject line of your email. The DEADLINE for submitting your application is April 30, 2023, however, applications will be accepted until the positions are filled.
For questions on individual positions or the overall project please email ensmingerlab@utoronto.ca.