Development of full annual cycle models for Arctic-nesting geese using state-of-the-art tracking devices for holistic conservation planning

Description: An MSc or PhD studentship is available with Dr. Mitch Weegman in the Department of Biology at the University of Saskatchewan (https://www.ducks.ca/our-work/science/saskatchewan-endowed-chair/). The student will use state-of-the-art tracking devices deployed on mid-continent white-fronted geese to conduct research in movement and population ecology.

This project is an international partnership among the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Environment and Climate Change Canada, US Geological Survey, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, and University of Saskatchewan. Our project goals are to quantify habitat use and the degree of inter- and intra-winter movements of white-fronted geese within and among wintering sites, and assess the extent to which variation in migration attributes (e.g., staging and wintering habitat use) explains variation in nesting propensity and reproductive outcomes. We anticipate the student will explore bird decision-making during subarctic staging, which is a relatively unknown period of the annual cycle. Based on tracking devices currently on individuals, we anticipate collation of millions of data points providing examples of individual decision-making. Using multi-year data, the student will develop full annual cycle models for the first time for these birds, yielding novel opportunities for conservation planning.

Prerequisites: Ideal candidates will have an undergraduate degree in ecology, statistics or a closely related field, and interpersonal skills to lead discussions among collaborators. Preference will be given to those with a strong quantitative background (e.g., experience with Program R, Bayesian methods), knowledge of migratory bird ecology and management, and field skills (e.g., capturing and handling birds). Students must have a valid driver’s license. The successful applicant will be expected to publish manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals and present papers at scientific meetings.

Salary and benefits: $35,000 Canadian per year plus compensation for tuition and fees

Start date: 1 Sept 2023 or 1 Jan 2024

Last date to apply: 16 June 2023

To be considered for this position, please send the following (preferably as a single PDF) to Dr. Mitch Weegman (mitch.weegman@usask.ca):

(1) Letter of interest summarizing your experience, (2) Curriculum vitae or resume, (3) University transcripts (unofficial are OK), (4) Contact information for three references.

We are recruiting four graduate students (one MSc and three PhD) to join a well-funded multi-investigator project focused on understanding climate-impacts of alternative grazing practices in grassland ecosystems. At the core of this initiative is a very large, replicated, grazing experiment conducted at two locations in Southern/Central Alberta. Team members will measure many aspects of these complex systems, including GHG emissions, soil C dynamics, vegetation responses, enteric methane production, soil genomics and metabolomics, and other key variables.

The field work for this project will begin in Spring 2024, and thus candidates that should be able to arrive in Edmonton and begin their program no later than a Jan 2024 in-person start date (Sept 2023 preferred).

These are highly interdisciplinary positions, and thus we are particular interested in intellectually curious, independent, and creative students who are keen to help develop data-driven approaches to facilitate decision making. Further, this research is highly collaborative and all students will work closely with each other and additional team members. Though the project provides an overall direction students will be given substantial opportunity to develop additional research questions and directions.

This project is suited for individuals interested in research at the intersection of discovery and real-world application. Through collaborations with numerous private-operators, there will substantial opportunity to test the generalizability of research findings well beyond the confines of a single experiment.

We are committed to the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion and encourage applications from all qualified individuals, including those belonging to underrepresented groups.

The positions will remain open until a suitable candidate has been found. To express interest, please see the contact information listed for each position.

1. PhD Student Position Available: Grassland soil microbiome responses to grazing.

Cahill Lab (https://cahilllab.ca/), Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Canada

This PhD student will lead the soil genomics/metabolomics aspects of the experiment, working closely with other students (e.g., those focused on vegetation dynamics and soil C) and PIs. The soil microbiome has strong impacts of plant growth, nutrient cycling, and GHG emissions. Thus, to understand climate impacts of grazing requires a detailed understanding of soil microbes. This work will combine both barcode descriptions as well as functional gene analyses to understand the composition and function of the soil microbiome. Demonstrated experience (research and/or coursework) in genomics (amplicon-based and/or shotgun metagenomics) is an asset. Additional fields of relevance include bioinformatics, community ecology, plant-soil interactions, microbiome-function, rangeland ecology, and climate change biology.

We are seeking a PhD student interested in forest resource analysis and management planning to work on a project investigating and developing novel resource and planning models. The successful candidate will join a team at the University of New Brunswick and Natural Resources Canada – Canadian Forest Service who are developing a long-term strategic-level forest management plan for a military base. The plan will accommodate military training needs, fire risk, environmental compliance (e.g. Species At Risk), and other values such carbon storage, while considering the effects of climate change. The PhD student will build, develop, and evaluate forest projection models that integrate succession, climate change, and silviculture to predict future forest condition. The project will provide the opportunity to explore and research novel analytical methods of land inventory analysis, spatial simulation modeling, optimization, and trade-off analysis for a wide-range of objectives and indicators. Specific outcomes and research direction will be driven largely by student interest providing the opportunity to make advances in both theoretical and/or applied research. The successful candidate will be encouraged to develop their own research questions related to forest management and planning that can be addressed in a modelling/simulation framework and/or with targeted field experiments. Results from this work will be used to inform land management locally, and to inform a national strategy for land management on military bases.

Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Dr. Anthony Taylor (Anthony.taylor@unb.ca) or Dr. Chris Edge (christopher.edge@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca) to discuss the position.

Official applications are accepted through the Government of Canada Job Portal (https://emploisfp-psjobs.cfp-psc.gc.ca/psrs-srfp/applicant/page1800?toggleLanguage=en&poster=1975489).

Application deadline 11 June 2023

We offer competitive compensation equivalent to NSERC PGSD ($21,000) plus tuition costs (~$10,000).

Restauration des écosystèmes lacustres : une expérience de terrain à grande échelle sur la dynamique écoévolutive

Les pratiques actuelles d’évaluation de l’impact sur les écosystèmes et de restauration sont basées sur l’écologie et n’intègrent pas les principes évolutifs pour comprendre l’interaction entre l’écologie et l’évolution qui pourrait être importante pour le résultat des projets de restauration des écosystèmes dans la nature. Nous tirerons parti d’une occasion sans précédent de reproduire des manipulations évolutives d’écosystèmes de lacs entiers en Alaska (États-Unis). Cette expérience est l’une des plus importantes manipulations de variations phénotypiques évolutives dans un lac entier réalisées dans un cadre naturel.

Nous sollicitons des candidatures pour un projet de doctorat qui quantifiera la mesure dans laquelle les processus évolutifs ont un impact sur l’écologie des lacs pendant la restauration de l’écosystème en évaluant les effets des introductions de poissons divergents sur le plan évolutif sur la biodiversité aquatique et les processus de l’écosystème lacustre. Le candidat retenu sera basé à Montréal, à l’Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), et collaborera avec des chercheurs de l’Université McGill, ainsi qu’avec des collaborations internationales établies pour le projet. Nous offrons une bourse d’études de 21 000 $ par an pendant quatre ans. Les candidats intéressés doivent être titulaires d’un diplôme de maîtrise en biologie ou dans une discipline pertinente, avec un intérêt et une expérience en écologie de terrain, en écologie aquatique, en biologie évolutive et en analyses statistiques. Nous pensons que notre groupe de recherche produira une meilleure science s’il inclut une diversité de perspectives. Nous encourageons toute personne intéressée par le projet à poser sa candidature, en particulier les groupes traditionnellement sous-représentés.

Pour postuler, veuillez envoyer votre CV, une lettre de motivation et votre relevé de notes à Alison Derry (derry.alison@uqam.ca).

Nous examinerons toutes les candidatures jusqu’à ce que le poste soit pourvu.

Detwiler lab: https://detwilerlab.weebly.com/
Start date: Sept 1, 2024

Moose in Manitoba are of conservation concern due to a number of factors including parasitism. Our team is focused on determining hot spots of brainworm (Parelaphostrongylus tenuis) infection because this parasite may be negatively affecting moose populations.

This project will use field sampling and metabarcoding to estimate the diet of moose. We aim to detect DNA in moose feces to identify the plants and gastropods (snails and slugs) being consumed as well as the parasites that are transmitted into the environment in three seasons (Spring, Summer, and Fall). Our team includes veterinarians and researchers at the Assiniboine Park Zoo and Université de Saint‐Boniface. We collaborate in research and outreach to improve knowledge of parasitology and wildlife health.

Stipend is $18,000 per year for 2 years with additional funds possible through scholarships from the University of Manitoba and elsewhere as well as teaching assistantships.

Training opportunities could include workshops in metabarcoding and bioinformatic analyses, seminars and bootcamps organized by the Host‐ Parasite Interactions Research Training Network, presentations at national and international scientific conferences, and outreach events.

Desired Qualifications:

‐Ability to hike and camp in backcountry.

‐Research experience in TWO or more of the following: field ecology, invertebrate zoology, parasitology, bioinformatics, statistics, science writing.

‐Valid drivers’ licence.

‐Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusivity.

To apply:

‐Email Jillian Detwiler (Jillian.Detwiler_at_umanitoba.ca) with a CV, unofficial transcript, a statement that describes your research interests, experience, and motivation to apply to this position, and contact information for 3 references by May 12, 2024.

‐If selected, must submit application to MSc graduate program by June 1, 2024.
https://umanitoba.ca/explore/programs-of-study/biological-sciences-msc

Start Date: Flexible (Fall 2023, Winter 2024)

Dr. Brian Husband, Dept. of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, is seeking a graduate student, M.Sc. or Ph.D., to pursue studies in polyploid evolution in plants. While the specific focus is flexible, research on a) the genomic basis of phenotypic effects of whole genome duplication and b) fitness consequences of unreduced gamete production are of high priority. Depending on topic, research can involve a combination of field, greenhouse, and lab-based approaches, focused on natural populations (e.g., mixed ploidy species such as Chamerion angustifolium in the Rocky Mtns) or experimental systems (e.g., 2x and synthetic 4x genotypes of Arabidopsis thaliana).

The student would be available to start in either September 2023 or January 2024. All graduate students are guaranteed financial support through Research and/or Teaching Assistantships and internal/ external scholarships.

Requirements: Students require a minimum of an Honours Bachelor’s degree in science or environmental science. Education and direct research experience in plant biology, evolutionary biology & genetics, ecology, and experimental design will be an asset.

To learn more: contact Dr. Brian Husband (bhusband@uoguelph.ca) at University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada with a short statement of interest, CV, and an unofficial transcript.

The Department of Integrative Biology is a multidisciplinary department with expertise in evolutionary biology, ecology, conservation biology, and biodiversity, encompassing a wide range of taxa and levels of biological organization, from molecules to ecosystems. The Department is committed to developing and maintaining a culture that is positive, collegial, and respectful of all members, and in which wellness and healthy work-life balance are valued along with excellence in research and teaching as described in our departmental EDI statement (https://www.uoguelph.ca/ib/EDI_Statement).

Applications are encouraged from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Department and the University of Guelph.

START DATE: Flexible (Fall 2023, Winter 2024, or Spring 2024)

A two-year, funded M.Sc. at Carleton University in either the Department of Biology or the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, depending on the student’s interests and experience. The research will be part of a larger project in southeastern Ontario, in collaboration with students and researchers from Carleton University (Dr. Lenore Fahrig, Biology; Dr. Elyn Humphreys, Geography and Environmental Studies) and Dr. Amanda Martin (Environment and Climate Change Canada on the campus of Carleton University).

RESEARCH PROJECT: Much of Canada’s southern forests have been fragmented into small forest patches. Although recent research highlights the cumulative value of small forest patches for biodiversity (e.g., https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12881), their role in carbon storage is unclear. The M.Sc. project will estimate the effects of forest edge and forest fragmentation on soil carbon stores. Protection of existing carbon stores is an important component of nature-based climate solutions. The results of this project can help to inform decisions about which forests to conserve, as well as whether small forest patches have similar value for conservation of biodiversity and mitigation of climate change.

To express interest in the position, please contact Amanda Martin (amanda.martin@ec.gc.ca).

Le projet : Le contenu et la dynamique des jeux vidéo multijoueurs en ligne est complexe parce qu’elle émerge de l’expérience de jeu, des interactions sociales, et de la structure des mondes virtuels. La complexité du comportement des joueurs dans ces jeux est telle qu’on fait maintenant appel aux théories et outils d’analyses développés en écologie comportementale et évolutive pour mieux comprendre et prévoir la dynamique dans les jeux vidéo multijoueurs. Les objectifs de ce projet seront d’analyser les facteurs déterminant le comportement des joueur.se.s dans le jeu Dead By Daylight pour comprendre l’impact des interactions prédateurs proies et sociales sur la capacité de différents profils de joueur.se.s de persister dans la communauté de joueur.se.s. Le projet tirera parti d’une collaboration entre l’UQAM et le studio Behaviour Interactive, basée à Montréal.

Le-la candidat.e analysera de vastes bases de données sur le comportement et les habitudes de jeu des joueur.se.s pour répondre à des questions de recherche fondamentales et appliquées. Lela candidat.e sera basé.e dans les locaux de l’UQAM, au département des Sciences biologiques et effectuera des stages de plusieurs mois au sein de l’équipe d’analyses et de science de la donnée de l’industrie. Le-la candidat.e collaborera avec des professionnels de diverses disciplines et participera à une variété de projets en lien avec des défis de l’industrie et développera des compétences techniques et organisationnelles cruciales pour une carrière dans l’industrie. Nous offrons un financement via le programme de stages MITACs accélération pour la durée du diplôme entrepris (21 500$/année).

Le laboratoire : Notre laboratoire fait partie du département des Sciences Biologiques à l’UQAM. Ce département regroupe plusieurs laboratoires de recherche en écologie aquatique, limnologie, écologie forestière, toxicologie, et biologie médicale. Il offre des séminaires de recherche hebdomadaires par des chercheurs de partout dans le monde en écologie et évolution. Montréal est aussi un endroit très riche pour la recherche (et la vie en général). Avec 5 universités, vous aurez accès à des cours, ateliers, formations, et présentations qui seront à quelques stations de métro de votre appartement et de votre laboratoire. Plus d’information sur l’équipe et nos recherches sont disponibles ici.

L’UQAM offre un environnement de travail qui est francophone et inclusif. Vous n’avez pas besoin d’avoir une maîtrise parfaite du français pour venir travailler avec nous, mais vous devrez développer un niveau intermédiaire de français pour retirer tous les avantages de votre passage à l’UQAM. Vous devrez aussi développer un niveau intermédiaire d’anglais à l’écrit et à l’oral. On peut soutenir vos efforts avec les deux langues. L’UQAM offre notamment des cours et des rencontres de conversation en français gratuits pour vous aider. Les travaux de terrain et les interactions avec les collaborateurs internationaux sont réalisés en anglais.

Le département offre plusieurs cours de premier cycle en écologie, en évolution, et dans d’autres disciplines. Les étudiants au doctorat peuvent prendre part à l’enseignement pour développer leurs compétences à enseigner et compléter leur revenu. Il existe des cours conventionnels et des cours basés sur l’apprentissage par problème. Vous aurez donc l’opportunité de vous familiariser avec de nouvelles méthodes d’enseignement.

Exigences : MSc complété en biologie ou dans une discipline pertinente, un intérêt marqué et de bonnes connaissances en évolution, comportement animal, et écologie, des capacités d’analyses statistiques et de programmation développées, ainsi qu’une bonne capacité de communication (avec des membres académiques et de l’industrie). Nous sommes convaincus qu’un groupe de recherche est beaucoup plus performant s’il inclut une diversité de perspectives. Nous encourageons toute personne intéressée à postuler ou venir nous rencontrer, particulièrement celles qui sont traditionnellement sous-représentées en recherche ou dans l’industrie du jeu vidéo.

Pour postuler, envoyez votre CV, une lettre de motivation, et relevé de notes par courriel à : Pierre Olivier Montiglio (montiglio.pierre-olivier@uqam.ca). Nous considérerons les candidatures jusqu’à ce que le poste soit comblé.

Program: www.mystfx.ca/biology/graduate-program

Start date: Flexible

Location: Antigonish, Nova Scotia

The battle of the sexes in a bug

Study how sexual conflict influences behaviour, life history, morphology and genome properties in water striders. Projects involve:

• Field work in the Maritimes
• Lab experiments
• The option to include genetic and genomic work
• A high-quality research experience
  in a supportive group
• Living in a beautiful small town minutes from the ocean

To find out more: Please email Dr Jen Perry at jperry@stfx.ca.
Informal enquiries welcome!

My lab is committed to a research environment that prioritizes equality, diversity, inclusion and accessibility.