Work with Us (Job Board)
PhD - Aquatic Ecology/Invasion Biology
Location: Laval University
Project Description: The role of climate change in the invasion success and impact of competing non-native species in a large river– Abiotic factors (e.g., temperature, seston) in combination with dispersal dynamics are hypothesized to control the local and regional dominance of competing invasive species. This project will use field observations and experiments to determine individual performance and population recruitment of invasive bivalves in the St. Lawrence River. Research will be co-directed by Dr. Ladd Johnson and Dr. Anthony Ricciardi and the successful candidate can undertake studies at either Laval University or McGill University and will work in collaboration with ecosystem modelers at the University of Alberta.
Supervisor: Dr. Ladd Johnson
Contact Information: ladd.johnson@bio.ulaval.ca
Website: www.benthos.ca
Location: Laval University
Project Description: The role of climate change in the invasion success and impact of competing non-native species in a large river– Abiotic factors (e.g., temperature, seston) in combination with dispersal dynamics are hypothesized to control the local and regional dominance of competing invasive species. This project will use field observations and experiments to determine individual performance and population recruitment of invasive bivalves in the St. Lawrence River. Research will be co-directed by Dr. Ladd Johnson and Dr. Anthony Ricciardi and the successful candidate can undertake studies at either Laval University or McGill University and will work in collaboration with ecosystem modelers at the University of Alberta.
Supervisor: Dr. Ladd Johnson
Contact Information: ladd.johnson@bio.ulaval.ca
Website: www.benthos.ca
PhD - Environmental Genomics
Location: University of Windsor/Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research (GLIER)
Project Description: A PhD student is required to examine transcriptome variation among aquatic invasive species (AIS) by NextGen sequencing of cDNA libraries. The student will analyze the transcriptome sequence data to compare the successful versus less-successfull AIS pairs. The student will identify functional gene predictors of invasion success based on gene expression differences (transcriptome sequencing and qRT-PCR) between the native and introduced habitats and between species pairs in the introduced habitat. This project is the first to seek a molecular basis for performance differences between and within AIS populations.
Supervisor: Dr. Daniel Heath
Contact Information: dheath@uwindsor.ca
Location: University of Windsor/Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research (GLIER)
Project Description: A PhD student is required to examine transcriptome variation among aquatic invasive species (AIS) by NextGen sequencing of cDNA libraries. The student will analyze the transcriptome sequence data to compare the successful versus less-successfull AIS pairs. The student will identify functional gene predictors of invasion success based on gene expression differences (transcriptome sequencing and qRT-PCR) between the native and introduced habitats and between species pairs in the introduced habitat. This project is the first to seek a molecular basis for performance differences between and within AIS populations.
Supervisor: Dr. Daniel Heath
Contact Information: dheath@uwindsor.ca
PhD - Fish Bioenergetics and Physiological Tolerance
Location: University of Windsor/Great Lakes Institute of Environmental Research (GLIER) -
Bioenergetics Tracer Lab
Project Description: This project will compare phenotypic plasticidy in paired (successful/less successful) invading species to determine whether physiological tolerance and optima explain differences in invading species spread post establishment. The initial focus will compare round (successful) and tubenose goby (less successful) physiological tolerance to gradients of stressors including temperature, dissolved oxygen and turbidity. Species specific tolerance ranges will be determined and compared by contrasting respirometry optima against LC25 and LC50 metrics for a given stressor and by testing intraspecific variation in physiological tolerance ranges for each species across its invasive distribution range. A second component of the study will utilize chemical tracers of fish bioenergetics to quantify field metabolic rates and growth efficiencies of the two invaders under different seasonal temperature profiles and resource availability treatments as may be experienced throughout the Laurentian Great Lakes. These measures will be used to test the hypothesis that among established invaders occupying the same guild, the invader possessing the highest degree of physiological tolerance will exhibit the largest distributional range.
Supervisor: Dr. Ken Drouillard
Contact: kgd@uwindsor.ca
Location: University of Windsor/Great Lakes Institute of Environmental Research (GLIER) -
Bioenergetics Tracer Lab
Project Description: This project will compare phenotypic plasticidy in paired (successful/less successful) invading species to determine whether physiological tolerance and optima explain differences in invading species spread post establishment. The initial focus will compare round (successful) and tubenose goby (less successful) physiological tolerance to gradients of stressors including temperature, dissolved oxygen and turbidity. Species specific tolerance ranges will be determined and compared by contrasting respirometry optima against LC25 and LC50 metrics for a given stressor and by testing intraspecific variation in physiological tolerance ranges for each species across its invasive distribution range. A second component of the study will utilize chemical tracers of fish bioenergetics to quantify field metabolic rates and growth efficiencies of the two invaders under different seasonal temperature profiles and resource availability treatments as may be experienced throughout the Laurentian Great Lakes. These measures will be used to test the hypothesis that among established invaders occupying the same guild, the invader possessing the highest degree of physiological tolerance will exhibit the largest distributional range.
Supervisor: Dr. Ken Drouillard
Contact: kgd@uwindsor.ca
PhD - Impacts of Multiple Stressors
Location: Queen's University - Arnott Ecology Lab
Project Description: Bythotrephes longimanus is an invertebrate predator that is spreading across Canadian Shield lakes, a region that is also experiencing calcium decline. Individually, both stressors have large impacts on zooplankton communities, yet their interactive effects are unknown. The student will be expected to develop a research project using a combination of approaches that could include survey data, field, and laboratory experiments in the Muskoka region of South-central Ontario.
Supervisor(s): Dr. Shelley Arnott (Queen's University), co-supervised by Dr. Norman Yan (York University)
Contact Information: arnotts@queensu.ca
Location: Queen's University - Arnott Ecology Lab
Project Description: Bythotrephes longimanus is an invertebrate predator that is spreading across Canadian Shield lakes, a region that is also experiencing calcium decline. Individually, both stressors have large impacts on zooplankton communities, yet their interactive effects are unknown. The student will be expected to develop a research project using a combination of approaches that could include survey data, field, and laboratory experiments in the Muskoka region of South-central Ontario.
Supervisor(s): Dr. Shelley Arnott (Queen's University), co-supervised by Dr. Norman Yan (York University)
Contact Information: arnotts@queensu.ca
PhD - Modeling Environmental Modulation of Multiple Stressors in Riverine Ecosystems
Location: Mark Lewis' Lab at the Centre for Mathematical Biology, University of Alberta
Project Description:
Modeling to test hypotheses:
Hypothesis 1: Variation in abiotic stressors such as flow rate and temperature will modulate the relative and total impact of AIS by altering their performance.
Hypothesis 2: Dispersal dynamics of AIS will be directly and indirectly affected by shifting environmental conditions
Contact Information:
Mark Lewis - mark.lewis@ualberta.ca - 780.492.0197
Hao Wang - hao8@ualberta.ca - 780.492.8472
Location: Mark Lewis' Lab at the Centre for Mathematical Biology, University of Alberta
Project Description:
Modeling to test hypotheses:
Hypothesis 1: Variation in abiotic stressors such as flow rate and temperature will modulate the relative and total impact of AIS by altering their performance.
Hypothesis 2: Dispersal dynamics of AIS will be directly and indirectly affected by shifting environmental conditions
Contact Information:
Mark Lewis - mark.lewis@ualberta.ca - 780.492.0197
Hao Wang - hao8@ualberta.ca - 780.492.8472
PhD - Modeling Environmental Modulation of Multiple Stressors in Riverine Ecosystems
Location: Mark Lewis' Lab at the Centre for Mathematical Biology, University of Alberta
Project Description:
Modeling to test hypotheses:
Hypothesis 1: Variation in abiotic stressors such as flow rate and temperature will modulate the relative and total impact of AIS by altering their performance.
Hypothesis 2: Dispersal dynamics of AIS will be directly and indirectly affected by shifting environmental conditions
Contact Information:
Mark Lewis - mark.lewis@ualberta.ca - 780.492.0197
Hao Wang - hao8@ualberta.ca - 780.492.8472
Location: Mark Lewis' Lab at the Centre for Mathematical Biology, University of Alberta
Project Description:
Modeling to test hypotheses:
Hypothesis 1: Variation in abiotic stressors such as flow rate and temperature will modulate the relative and total impact of AIS by altering their performance.
Hypothesis 2: Dispersal dynamics of AIS will be directly and indirectly affected by shifting environmental conditions
Contact Information:
Mark Lewis - mark.lewis@ualberta.ca - 780.492.0197
Hao Wang - hao8@ualberta.ca - 780.492.8472
PhD or MSc - Environmental Modeling
Location: Department of Biology & McGill School of Environment, McGill University
Project Description: Ecological Predictions and Management Under Uncertainty: While broad generalizations can be made on the impact of global drivers, detailed and specific predictions for management decisions are lacking. Such predictions are made difficult by limited information, time, resources and communication, which affect virtually all environmental issues. In an increasingly complex world with various global drivers producing environmental, social and economic impacts, understanding and dealing with uncertainty is crucial. Addressing limitations that result in uncertainty will be a highly transferable and sought-after skill-set in any environmental field. Students will develop the modeling skills needed to address some of the key challenges associated with uncertainty and real-world limitations. Students will make ecological predictions and explore management options for invasive species. There will also be the opportunity to engage in field work in freshwater lake or coastal marine systems.
Supervisor: Brian Leung
Contact: brian.leung2@mcgill.ca
Location: Department of Biology & McGill School of Environment, McGill University
Project Description: Ecological Predictions and Management Under Uncertainty: While broad generalizations can be made on the impact of global drivers, detailed and specific predictions for management decisions are lacking. Such predictions are made difficult by limited information, time, resources and communication, which affect virtually all environmental issues. In an increasingly complex world with various global drivers producing environmental, social and economic impacts, understanding and dealing with uncertainty is crucial. Addressing limitations that result in uncertainty will be a highly transferable and sought-after skill-set in any environmental field. Students will develop the modeling skills needed to address some of the key challenges associated with uncertainty and real-world limitations. Students will make ecological predictions and explore management options for invasive species. There will also be the opportunity to engage in field work in freshwater lake or coastal marine systems.
Supervisor: Brian Leung
Contact: brian.leung2@mcgill.ca
PhD or MSc - Examining the Population Genetics of Aquatic Invasive Species
Location: University of Windsor/Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research
Description: The Conservation Genetics Lab at the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research (GLIER) has two paid assistantships available for new graduate students to explore the population genetics of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS). The successful candidate will be a motivated and outstanding student with a background in Biology (BSc or MSc) and an interest in population genetics; experience with molecular biology techniques and analysis is preferred.
As a member of NSERC's Canadian Aquatic Invasive Species Network II, you will join affiliates from academia, government and industry across Canada in developing our knowledge of and tools to deal with AIS - widely recognized as one of the greatest threats to global biodiversity. As a student in GLIER's Environmental Sciencs graduate program, you will benefit from world-class facilities, researcher expertise, focus on real-world problems, and opportunities for working with GLIER's extensive collaborators and networks while making a difference in science, policy and innovation. The opportunity to train on cutting edge equipment within a collaborative atmosphere of world-class researchers will foster independence and advanced technical skills, increasing and diversifying your future employment opportunites.
The successful graduate student(s) will be supported on a combination of Research Assistantships and Teaching Assistantships totaling over $20,000/year. Study will begin in September 2013.
To apply, please send a letter of intent, curriculum vitae, and the the names and emails of three references to Dr. Daniel Heath at: dheath@uwindsor.ca
Location: University of Windsor/Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research
Description: The Conservation Genetics Lab at the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research (GLIER) has two paid assistantships available for new graduate students to explore the population genetics of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS). The successful candidate will be a motivated and outstanding student with a background in Biology (BSc or MSc) and an interest in population genetics; experience with molecular biology techniques and analysis is preferred.
As a member of NSERC's Canadian Aquatic Invasive Species Network II, you will join affiliates from academia, government and industry across Canada in developing our knowledge of and tools to deal with AIS - widely recognized as one of the greatest threats to global biodiversity. As a student in GLIER's Environmental Sciencs graduate program, you will benefit from world-class facilities, researcher expertise, focus on real-world problems, and opportunities for working with GLIER's extensive collaborators and networks while making a difference in science, policy and innovation. The opportunity to train on cutting edge equipment within a collaborative atmosphere of world-class researchers will foster independence and advanced technical skills, increasing and diversifying your future employment opportunites.
The successful graduate student(s) will be supported on a combination of Research Assistantships and Teaching Assistantships totaling over $20,000/year. Study will begin in September 2013.
To apply, please send a letter of intent, curriculum vitae, and the the names and emails of three references to Dr. Daniel Heath at: dheath@uwindsor.ca
