Joining the Lab

Graduate Students

I have a position open in robotic water-quality sensing:

We have funded MASc/PhD positions available in autonomous robotic water-quality sampling at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada.  

  • We are developing a drone-based platform for rapid acquisition of in-situ water data at scale.
  • We are working closely with coastal communities to co-develop this platform and improve resiliency to climate events.
  • Multiple robots will autonomously gather and transmit data real-time over a cellular network to be processed and displayed on a custom cloud platform.

This position is part of the CLEAR project in collaboration with Rogers and the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre and will include algorithmic, computational, and applied aspects.

About the Lab

This is a joint position between the research groups of Dr. Adrien Desjardins and Dr. Dominic Liao-McPherson. We also collaborate closely with Dr. Philippe Tortell in the Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences.

We are hosted within the Departments of Mechanical and Electrical & Computer Engineering on UBCs Point Grey campus on the unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) people, surrounded by forest, ocean and mountains. Vancouver is consistently ranked as one of the most diverse cities in Canada, and one of the most livable cities in the world. UBC offers a friendly and stimulating environment and the opportunity to become an expert in control, optimization, and computing while solving meaningful engineering problems.

Qualifications

  • A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in engineering (or a related field)
  • Background in Robotics and/or Aerospace engineering is helpful but not required
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills
  • Some coursework/project experience in optimization, machine learning, control systems, or robotics is desirable.
  • No other specific qualifications beyond and a willingness to learn within an interdisciplinary team.

If you have any questions

If you’re interested in pursuing graduate school in beautiful Vancouver and any of this seems interesting to you, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

How to apply

Submit the following documents by email at dliaomcp {at} mech.ubc.ca and adrien.desjardins {at} ubc.ca

  • A resume/CV;
  • A cover letter/statement of intent (including relevant experience, your research interests);
  • Unofficial transcripts;

Please submit all documents as a single .pdf file and use the following format for the email subject line: [CLEAR application]: LastName, FirstName.

Those shortlisted for further consideration will be contacted for an online interview and given instructions about submitting a formal application. This position can be hosted in either Mechanical or Electrical Engineering. Due to the volume of emails received only those shortlisted will be contacted; I apologize in advance.

We encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, Indigenous peoples of North America, Black-identified persons, other racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

Key Dates

  • November 10th 2025  | First review date for applications
  • January 15th 2026      | Last review date for applications (no applications will be considered after this date)

Salary Ranges

A minimum yearly stipend of $40,000 for PhD students and $31,000 for MASc students. Award holders (e.g., CGS-M, UBC internal fellowship) will receive a top up. Income from TA positions stacks on top

Postdocs

I don’t currently have any postdoctoral positions open but if you’re interested in applying to hold an NSERC postdoctoral fellowship or Banting postdoctoral fellowship in the AOCL please reach out by email.

Undergraduate Students

I participate in all the all of the undergraduate research opportunities offered by the department including e.g., MECH 493 (mech students) and NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awards (any department).

  • If you’re interested in working with me please reach out by email.
  • I don’t take undergraduate volunteers outside of these pathways

Visiting Researchers

We regularly host visiting students and researchers from other institutions. If you’re interested in visiting the lab for a short research stay (e.g., a European style Bachelor’s or Master’s thesis) reach out to me by email.