Funded MSc and PhD positions at UBC Forestry: "The Indirect Impacts of Internet Use on the Environment"
van der Ven, Hamish
Dear Colleagues,
My lab is recruiting a handful of *funded* grad students interested in critically interrogating the impact of digital technologies on the environment. Full details are below and the application deadline is Oct. 15. Thanks in advance for sharing this with your students.
Best,
Hamish
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS – MSC AND PHD POSITIONS IN
THE INDIRECT IMPACTS OF INTERNET USE ON THE ENVIRONMENT
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA IN VANCOUVER
Funded two-year MSc and four-year PhD positions are available in the Faculty of Forestry at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver. The expected start date is 1 September 2026.
The successful applicants will join the Business, Sustainability and Technology Lab and work on a SSHRC-funded project exploring the indirect impacts of internet use on the environment under the supervision of Prof. Hamish van der Ven.
Project Summary
This project connects two of the most important developments of the modern era: cascading environmental crises and humanity's growing dependence on the internet. With over two-thirds of the global population now online and transformative internet-based technologies like generative artificial intelligence (AI) and social media reshaping the global economy, social scientists, policymakers, and the public urgently need a balanced assessment of the impacts of digitalization on the natural environment. To date, critical analyses of the impacts of internet usage have either been lacking or too narrowly focused on direct impacts from internet infrastructure. This project expands the scope of analysis to better understand how the internet is affecting politics, economics, and individual/social values in ways that may in turn affect the environment.
Students will be expected to co-develop a thesis aligned with this project in collaboration with Prof. van der Ven. Thesis proposals that touch on how digital technologies impact forests, forest-dependent peoples, or the forest products sector are particularly encouraged.
MSC APPLICANTS
Funding
MSc students will receive guaranteed funding of $20,000 CAD per year for two years. Note: tuition fees (~ $5,600 CAD) must be paid out of this amount. Supplementary funding is available through the Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) program at UBC. For information on MSc program requirements at UBC Forestry, please see the MSc Program Overview.
Eligibility
- Domestic and international applicants are welcome.
- Applicants must meet the minimum academic requirements for admission established by the UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies office.
- All applicants must meet eligibility requirements to live and study in Canada.
Required Qualifications:
- Completion of a relevant undergraduate degree from an accredited post-secondary institution.
- Average of at least 80% (or equivalent) across the final two years of the undergraduate degree
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills in English.
- Prior coursework relevant to the environment/sustainability.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Preferred Qualifications
- Coursework or prior experience in quantitative and/or qualitative methods.
- Proficiency in statistical analysis software (e.g., R Studio) or qualitative software (e.g., NVivo).
- Previous experience working as a research assistant.
How to apply
Email the following materials to hamish.v...@ubc.ca by October 15, 2025.
- 1-2 page letter of intent with a proposed thesis topic.
- Current curriculum vitae.
- Scans of official transcripts in PDF.
While I thank all candidates for applying, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews in mid-to-late October.
Following interviews, successful candidates will be invited to submit a full application per the instructions on this page: https://forestry.ubc.ca/programs/graduate/thesis-based-degrees/master-of-science-master-of-applied-science/how-to-apply/.
PHD APPLICANTS
Funding
PhD students will receive guaranteed funding of $18,200 CAD per year for four years + a full tuition waiver. Supplementary funding is available through the Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) program at UBC. For information on PhD program requirements at UBC Forestry, please see the PhD Program Overview.
Eligibility
- Domestic and international applicants are welcome.
- Applicants must meet the minimum academic requirements for admission established by the UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies office.
- All applicants must meet eligibility requirements to live and study in Canada.
Required Qualifications:
- Completion of a relevant graduate degree from an accredited post-secondary institution
- Average of at least 85% (or equivalent) across graduate courses and the final two years of the undergraduate degree.
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills in English.
- Coursework or prior experience in quantitative and/or qualitative methods.
- Coursework or prior experience related to the environment, sustainability, or digital technologies.
Preferred Qualifications
- One or more publications, policy outputs, awards, or community products relevant to the position.
- Evidence of leadership in an academic context.
- Proficiency in statistical analysis software (e.g., R Studio) or qualitative software (e.g., NVivo).
- Previous experience working as a research assistant or teaching assistant.
How to apply
Email the following materials to hamish.v...@ubc.ca by October 15, 2025.
- 1-2 page letter of intent that describes your research interests and academic and career goals.
- 1-page research statement identifying the context, research questions, proposed methodology, and societal importance of the issue you would like to explore in your doctoral research.
- Current curriculum vitae.
- Scans of official transcripts in PDF.
While I thank all candidates for applying, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews in mid-to-late October.
Following interviews, successful candidates will be invited to submit a full application per the instructions on this page: https://forestry.ubc.ca/future-students/graduate/thesis-based-degrees/doctor-of-philosophy/how-to-apply/.
For inquiries about these positions:
Please contact Prof. Hamish van der Ven, Assistant Professor of Sustainable Business Management of Natural Resources, hamish.v...@ubc.ca
For further information about application procedures or graduate studies at UBC Forestry:
Please contact the Graduate Admissions Coordinator: forest...@ubc.ca
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Hamish van der Ven
Assistant Professor, Sustainable Business Management of Natural Resources
Faculty of Forestry | Wood Science
The University of British Columbia | Vancouver Campus
4644 - 2424 Main Mall | Vancouver BC | V6T 1Z4 Canada
Phone 604 822 4142
hamish.v...@ubc.ca
