Prospective Graduate Students

Graduate Student Recruitment at GIG-Cities Lab

Current Recruitment Focus:
We are currently recruiting highly motivated Master's and Ph.D. students to contribute to research in the following areas:

  • Geospatial AI and machine learning for urban sustainability
  • Big spatiotemporal data mining for urban systems
  • Spatial databases and advanced GIS applications
  • Computer vision for creating safe an equitable urban environments
  • Urban environmental modeling and digital twins

Preferred Background:
Ideal candidates should have a strong academic foundation in sustainable systems design, computer science, geospatial data sciences, mathematics, statistics, or related fields. Applicants should also possess:

  • Strong mathematical and programming skills (e.g., Python, R, or similar)
  • Proficiency in English writing and communication
  • A four-year (Hons.) degree with a CGPA reflecting a first-class or second-class upper-division
  • Experience in publishing in peer-reviewed journals is preferable 

Candidate Attributes:
In addition to academic qualifications, I am looking for students who are:

  • Motivated to address pressing urban sustainability challenges
  • Diligent, creative, and open-minded
  • Eager to contribute to a collaborative, interdisciplinary research environment

How to Apply:
If you meet the qualifications and are passionate about using intelligent computing to create a sustainable future, please email the following documents to me:

  1. Your resume or CV
  2. Transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable at the initial stage)
  3. TOEFL/IELTS scores (if English is not your first language)

If your background aligns with the lab’s current needs, I will contact you to schedule an interview. Please note that due to the volume of inquiries, I may not respond to applications that do not meet the outlined requirements.

We look forward to hearing from you and exploring the possibility of your contribution to the GIG-Cities Lab!

Potential Collaborators

Collaboration Opportunities at GIG-Cities Lab

We are committed to fostering interdisciplinary collaborations to tackle real-world challenges in urban sustainability. Our expertise lies in utilizing advanced techniques such as geospatial AI, machine learning, big data analytics, and GIS-based solutions to address critical issues related to urban climate resilience, equitable development, and sustainable urban systems.

We are open to collaborate with:

  • Academic researchers whose work aligns with our methodologies or complements our objectives, with the aim of building a multidisciplinary research team.
  • City councils, public sector entities, private organizations, or non-profits facing practical challenges in urban sustainability.

Our team of experienced researchers and students is ready to work collaboratively to develop innovative, data-driven solutions tailored to your needs.

If you are interested in exploring potential collaborations, please feel free to reach out to me using the contact details below. Let’s work together to create intelligent, sustainable, and equitable urban spaces!

Contact Info

Varuni Jayasooriya, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

School of Environment and Sustainability

University of Saskatchewan

Office - Kirk 309

Ph: 306-966-2581

Email: varuni.jayasooriya@usask.ca