Applied Sustainability Research Opportunities

As all things green and sustainable are enjoying enormous popularity and there are very few robust programs focusing on applied sustainability - entrance into the Applied Sustainability Research Group is extremely competitive, but we are always looking for outstanding applicants.

Dr. Pearce is presently seeking students at the Ph.D, Master's, and undergraduate level for research in solar photovoltaic materials and applied sustainability. Interested applicants should have a strong academic background and a demonstrated interest in solar energy or applied sustainability. Students are generally ranked in the top 10% of their class or higher at an internationally-reputable institution and have undertaken some major project in applied sustainability before joining the group (e.g. organized  Engineers Without Borders chapters at their former schools).

Specific Graduate School positions open for Fall of 2010 include:

1. PhD Student: A student with an existing masters degree with a strong background in photovoltaic materials and/or devices interested in pursuing a PhD in Mechanical and Materials Engineering for further technical study of thin film solar photovoltaic cells. Competitive PhD candidates will have already published in the photovoltaic field.  For more details on the research see: http://me.queensu.ca/sustainability/Sustainability-Projects.php#asi

http://me.queensu.ca/sustainability/Sustainability-Projects.php#indiumpv

For more details on the program see: http://me.queensu.ca/graduate/

To apply for this position please send cover letter and CV to pearce@me.queensu.ca and apply through the specific program following the links below. Students with the appropriate skill sets necessary will be contacted within two weeks from Dr. Pearce.

2. Master's Student: A student interested in a Masters degree in Environmental Studies to investigate Open Source  Appropriate Technology or OSAT. The competitive candidate will either have a strong sustainable development background or a strong open source software background (or ideally both). For a summary of the research see: http://me.queensu.ca/sustainability/Sustainability-Projects.php#osat

For more information on the program and how to apply see: http://www.queensu.ca/ensc/graduate.html

Specific Positions for Undergraduates:

• Mech 461 students with a demonstrated excellence in the areas covered here
• Summer students of the highest caliber that are eligible for NSERC grants and have a genuine interest in photovoltaics and/or applied sustainability.

Summer students are treated and expected to perform at the level of graduate students.