Current Graduate Opportunities
Below is a listing of graduate position postings with faculty members in the various graduate programs within the College of Computational, Mathematical, and Physical Sciences.
Note, however, that this is not a comprehensive list.
Other opportunities are available beyond this list; please do not hesitate to reach out to key contacts such as individual faculty members, graduate coordinators or graduate program assistants within CCMPS if you are interested in learning more about graduate opportunities.
Wondering what research opportunities are available?
Reach out to one of the contacts below specifying your area of interest or following the outlined application process.
Have general program inquiries? Connect with us through our Contact Us page.
MSc & PhD positions: Quantum Mechanical Simulations for Catalyst Discovery and Clean Energy - Prof. Leanne Chen
The Computational Electrochemistry Laboratory is looking for curious and motivated students to conduct research at the cutting edge of catalyst discovery for clean energy applications. Our recent publications have focused on the design and optimization of direct ammonia fuel cells. Ongoing projects include large-scale screening of electrocatalysts to accelerate discovery and developing state-of-the-art theoretical models for the electrochemical double layer.
Project keywords: quantum chemistry, density functional theory, electrocatalysis, simulations, energy storage and conversion
Start date: as early as January 2026. Expressions of interest accept year-round.
MSc & PhD positions: Detection of PFAS in Environmental and Biological Systems - Prof. Jeremy Gauthier
The Gauthier Lab is currently looking for PhD and Masters students to develop new analytical chemistry approaches for the measurement of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in a variety of systems including surface waters, biosolids, food packaging, agricultural produce, and animals and humans. Students will gain experience in NMR, mass spectrometry, and environmental and analytical chemistry techniques.
Project keywords: Analytical chemistry, NMR, environmental chemistry, PFAS
Start date: January 1 or September 1, 2026. Applications will be review regularly.
MSc and PhD positions: Cybersecurity, AI and Machine Learning - Prof. Wenjing Zhang
The AI Security Lab invites applications for multiple funded masters and doctoral positions in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence and machine learning. Our lab advances secure and privacy-preserving machine learning, trustworthy generative AI models, and practical security defenses for real systems. The lab is supported by funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), Mitacs, Canadian industry partners, and the University of Guelph start-up fund. We are currently collaborating with physicians from St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton and researchers from the University of Florida, the University of Arizona, and Queen’s University.
Qualifications
- Background in computer science or computer engineering is required.
- Preference for applicants with experience in AI and machine learning or cybersecurity.
- Strong programming skills with a solid mathematical background
- Research publications, open-source contributions, or relevant industry or lab experience will be considered strong advantages.
How to apply:
Send your CV and academic transcript to Dr. Wenjing Zhang - wzhang25@uoguelph.ca
Start date: Winter 2026 and Fall 2026. Applications will be reviewed regularly.
PhD position - Statistical modelling of compositional data - Prof. Zeny Feng
The research project is funded by both the NSERC discovery grant and the Collaborative Research Term funding program from Canadian Statistical Sciences Institute. Statistical modelling of compositional data has a wide applications, e.g., microbiome data analysis using metagenomic approach.
Project keywords: Compositional data, high dimensional data, multivariate counts, metagenomics, microbiome, multinomial-based, spatio-temporal data analysis, model assessment
Start date: January 1, May 1 or September 1, 2026
MSc & PhD positions: Quantum Mechanical Simulations for Catalyst Discovery and Clean Energy - Prof. Leanne Chen
The Computational Electrochemistry Laboratory is looking for curious and motivated students to conduct research at the cutting edge of catalyst discovery for clean energy applications. Our recent publications have focused on the design and optimization of direct ammonia fuel cells. Ongoing projects include large-scale screening of electrocatalysts to accelerate discovery and developing state-of-the-art theoretical models for the electrochemical double layer.
Project keywords: quantum chemistry, density functional theory, electrocatalysis, simulations, energy storage and conversion
Start date: as early as January 2026. Expressions of interest accept year-round.
MSc & PhD positions: Quantum Mechanical Simulations for Catalyst Discovery and Clean Energy - Prof. Leanne Chen
The Computational Electrochemistry Laboratory is looking for curious and motivated students to conduct research at the cutting edge of catalyst discovery for clean energy applications. Our recent publications have focused on the design and optimization of direct ammonia fuel cells. Ongoing projects include large-scale screening of electrocatalysts to accelerate discovery and developing state-of-the-art theoretical models for the electrochemical double layer.
Project keywords: quantum chemistry, density functional theory, electrocatalysis, simulations, energy storage and conversion
Start date: as early as January 2026. Expressions of interest accept year-round.
Looking for a Postdoctoral Opportunity?
Postdoctoral scholars are an important stage in the transition from being a graduate student to launching a career as an independent researcher in your chosen discipline. In collaboration with a supervising faculty mentor, postdoctoral scholars take part in the intellectual life of the university through advanced research, training and engagement with graduate students.
If you are interested in a Postdoctoral Opportunity, visit the Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies website for an overview on Postdoctoral Scholars and a list of currently available postdoctoral opportunities. Students are encouraged to contact faculty in your field of interest if an applicable opportunity is not listed.
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The College of Computational, Mathematical, and Physical Sciences is one of eight faculties at the University of Guelph. Our award-winning teaching, collaborative culture and innovative research aim to inspire excellence and Improve Life.
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