Blog and Opportunities

Public Lecture: Solutionscapes for sustainable food, water, energy, and climate futures

Wednesday, March 11^th at 7:15pm in ECS 124

The pressures on our water systems are growing, shaped not only by climate extremes but also by how we grow food, generate energy, and use land. Around the world, there is unprecedented momentum to address climate change, biodiversity loss, and water insecurity. Importantly, many of the tools we need already exist, from sustainable farming practices and wetland restoration to circular waste management systems. The challenge is not inventing new solutions, but connecting the ones we have. When implemented in isolation, even well-intentioned interventions can create unintended trade-offs or shift problems elsewhere. This lecture introduces Solutionscapes, a way of reimagining landscapes as coordinated systems rather than disconnected efforts. Can we design landscape-scale strategies that reduce pressure on our water systems, sustain livelihoods, and advance a more just and resilient future?

Technical Seminar: From Pollution to Restoration: Warming Winters, Algal Blooms, and Pathways to Resilience

Friday, March 13^th at 12:30pm in ECS 124

Excess nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural and urban landscapes continue to drive harmful algal blooms in freshwater systems. Despite reductions in nutrient inputs in some regions, recovery has been slower and more variable than expected. Climate change aggravates the challenge, as warmer winters are increasing nutrient release from soils. In this seminar, I examine how nutrient dynamics and climate variability interact to shape water quality trajectories. Using large-scale datasets and emerging analytical approaches, I identify the controls on nutrient persistence and bloom formation, and evaluate landscape-scale interventions, including wetland restoration, that can improve water quality and provide viable pathways to resilience in a warming world.

Dr. Basu is the Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Global Water Sustainability and Ecohydrology, and she is a Professor in the Departments of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Waterloo. Dr. Basu is internationally renowned in the fields of water sustainability and ecohydrology, where her team has laid critical groundwork to address both fundamental science and applied management questions on nutrient pollution in anthropogenic landscapes. She is a  Fellow of the American Geophysical Union,  Former Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Hydrology, and Member of the Royal Society College of New Scholars, Artists, and Scientists. 

• Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC now has their seasonal Outreach Instructor opportunities posted on their career site.
• Positions are anticipated to be filled in Abbotsford, Clearwater, Cranbrook (Fort Steele), Summerland, Vanderhoof, and Victoria.
• Postings will remain open until the positions are filled, with the first assessments anticipated after March 28, 2026.
• View the PDF with more information.

Free career workshop hosted by:

International Centre for Students and the Career Services Office

Online (ZOOM) information session “From Campus to Career: Strategies for success in the Canadian Workplace”

Learn practical tips to navigate the Canadian job market and proactively explore your career possibilities.

Thursday, March 26, 2026 @ 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm online via ZOOM (Registration is required.)

Visit the Events Page for more info.

For More information view the 2026 Projects Brochure and our Call for Volunteer Field Leaders

We are working to improve our services, collections, and spaces at UVic Libraries. We want to know what you need from the library and how we have been doing so far. This survey is open to all UVic students, faculty and lecturers, researchers, and support staff.   

It should take about 10 to 15 minutes to answer our questions. Participation is completely voluntary, and you can exit the survey at any time. Your responses are confidential.  

Complete the survey 

At the end of the survey, you will be able to enter a random draw for one of twenty $50 VISA gift cards. Your contact information will be kept separate from your survey responses.  

The survey will close on April 11, 2026. 

If you have trouble with the survey, please contact web_ux@uvic.ca  

By proceeding, you are agreeing to the terms set in our participant consent form and contest rules. 

Thank you for helping us improve library services for the UVic community. 

Please review the Post-graduation work permit: How to apply tutorial before attending this Q&A session.

Registration for this session can be found on the event page.

Pearson College UWC is seeking an outstanding Marine Science Assistant & Race Rocks Student Program Facilitator to join their Faculty team.

Reporting to: Deputy Head of College, Academics

Position Summary: The Marine Science Assistant & Race Rocks Student Program Facilitator plays a crucial role in facilitating the Colleges’ Marine Science programs and the Race Rocks experiential learning activities.

For more information click here!

To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter outlining your interest and relevant experience to careers@pearsoncollege.ca.

UPCOMING EVENT!

For More information visit: https://www.uvsp.ca/ripples-art-zine.html

THE MICHAEL SMITH LABS PRESENT OUR

MOLECULAR BIOLOGY WORKSHOP
2026 Summer Session University of British Columbia,Vancouver, Canada.

ONE WEEK VERSION – MOLECULAR BIOLOGY WORKSHOP
June 8th to 12th, 2026 (CAN$1575 – includes GST)

DESCRIPTION:This intense 5 day workshop will focus on a myriad of different techniques used in the molecular manipu-lation of DNA, RNA and protein. Primarily aimed at researchers who are new to the area, familiar but require a quick updating, or would like more practical bench training.

Hands on techniques covered include: Various nucleic acid purification methodologies (silica bead, organic, and/or SPRI size exclusion), restriction digests, ligations, dephosphorylation assays, agarose gel electrophoresis, transformation (including electropora-tion), PCR, reverse transcriptase assay, qPCR, SDS-PAGE,Western blot analysis, Isoelectric focusing strips, and 2D protein gels. This also includes theorectical and practical work on Next Gen Sequencing (using Nanopore MinION set up).

To register or inquire about the workshop, please contact Dr. David Ng at db@mail.ubc.ca or 604-822-6264. More infor-mation and registration link can be found at bioteach.ubc.ca/portfolio/professional-courses/

REVIEWS FROM OUR LAST WORKSHOP: (DECEMBER 2025)

“This course was excellently laid out to provide an abundance of practical knowledge and hands-on skills that are often missing in other courses… I feel confident now to continue my learning journey and to incorporate some of these skills in my workplace. I feel like I have the vernacular now to talk with colleagues and to encourage future collaborations.” Amanda Garner, NFI Laboratory Coordinator, Canadian Forest Services, Pacific Forestry Centre, National Resources Canada

“Thanks for the great workshop – I’ve learnt so much! Very accessible and well-paced. Plenty for both the complete novice and people with some background in the subject already.” Ben Ashby, Professor, Dept. of Mathematics, Scientific Director, Pacific Institute on Pathogens, Pandemics, and Society, Simon Fraser University.

Boston University would like to introduce you to it’s Master of Science in Biomedical Research Technologies ((https://www.bumc.bu.edu/gms/brt/). Applications are now being accepted for the Fall 2026 semester.

“We welcome students interested in improving their academic credentials and/or enhancing technical research skills with hands on laboratory training and an eye towards pursuing an advanced degree or working as researchers in Biotech or academia.

We provide all students with individualized academic advising, professional development, and one-on-one academic support. With more than 90% of our program graduates being accepted to research positions or to graduate, dental or medical school programs, we are committed to providing a high level of support as they navigate the process. We accept students from across the country and internationally, from different backgrounds, experiences, and insights to help promote diversity of thought and experience on their educational and professional journey.“

Webinars are held where applicants can learn more about the program. The next virtual seminar will be on February 25 at 1pm. Please register at: https://www.bumc.bu.edu/gms/admissions/spring-2026-virtual-fair/ or contact Dr. Louis Gerstenfeld at: lgersten@bu.ed

– UG and Grad students, and recent graduates:

Careers in Science – Working in Industry

Friday, February 26, from 10:30am to 12:00pm
Student Union Building – Upper Lounge
This event brings together Faculty of Science undergraduate, graduate students and young alumni with our Alumni Advisory Board (AAB), to explore a wide range of non-academic career pathways. The session includes a moderated panel discussion, ‘topic tables’ session where students rotate between themed tables (such as launching a career in industry, entrepreneurship, non-traditional career paths), a networking session, …and free pizza!

– Postdoctoral fellows:

Postdoc Meet-and-Greet with the Science Alumni Advisory Board

Friday, February 27, from 2:30 to 3:30pm
Student Union Building – Upper Lounge
This event is a casual afternoon get-together with our Alumni Advisory Board designed specifically for postdoctoral fellows. This is a great opportunity to explore potential opportunities for mentorship, career advice, collaborations, and industry contacts. Tea, coffee, and treats will be provided.

Both events are free, but registration is required.

Our partner university in New Zealand, the University of Waikato, has shared an opportunity for Marine Science Students.

Applications for the Marine Science for Conservation short programme close at 11:59pm on March 1. The programme runs for 6 weeks, June 29-August 7, 2026, and provides science students with an exciting hands-on opportunity to explore marine science in an Aotearoa New Zealand context.

Students are also invited to attend the 6th Australia New Zealand Marine Biotechnology Society (ANZMBS) conference, 26-28 August, at our Tauranga campus. More than 200 experts, researchers, and industry leaders will present cutting-edge developments in marine biotechnology.

There is a discounted rate available to students who attend the Marine Science for Conservation short programme. For any questions contact: shortprogrammes@waikato.ac.nz.

Registration is through the letter of permission process, not through the exchange program.

Please visit https://www.uvic.ca/advising/academic-advising/forms/index.php for more information.

2026 North American Comparative Immunology workshop (NACI; May 31 – June 4)

This small, high-impact gathering brings together researchers from across Canada and North America who are interested in investigating immune responses in a wide-range of species.  

At NACI, we highlight research in the evolution of immune systems, development of immune cells, the immune dialogue between host, microbiota, and pathogens, as well as ecological aspects of disease. This work has not only re-defined our understanding of animal immune responses but also informs studies with direct relevance to human health.  In the face of a changing climate, both wildlife and domesticated species used globally in aquaculture and agriculture face severe challenges. Studying organisms that are either directly threatened or species used in industry can provide unique insights into immunobiology, medicine, and evolution, and provide the foundational knowledge for novel therapeutics.