Four PhD Scholarships, Transforming Climate Action – Uncertain Seas

Four PhD Scholarships are available at the Centre for Fisheries Ecosystems Research, Fisheries & Marine Institute<http://www.mi.mun.ca>, Memorial University, St. John’s, NL, Canada.

Transforming Climate Action<https://www.ofi.ca/programs/transform-climate-action> is a seven year, $397 million collaboration among Dalhousie University, Laval University, University Québec at Rimouski, and Memorial University. The largest research theme within Transforming Climate Action is Reducing Uncertainties in Carbon Cycling in the Northwest Atlantic Seas (Uncertain Seas). The goal of Uncertain Seas is to better constrain the role of the ocean in the Earth’s climate system by reducing uncertainties with physical and biogeochemical processes that control the global ocean carbon cycle. The focus is on the Northwest Atlantic gateway as a major contributor to ocean carbon uptake and sequestration, particularly with respect to the biogeochemical carbon pump.

We are seeking four PhD Students to work on projects in the following areas:

– Bottom-up and top-down ecosystem roles of zooplankton

– Trophic transfer efficiency

– Two-way coupling of biogeochemical and food-web models

– Modelling carbon cycle from lower to higher trophic levels

As a part of Transforming Climate Action, there will be opportunities to participate in workshops with other graduate students from the four institutions. There will also be opportunities for research visits to collaborating labs and conference travel. There may be opportunities for field work, although not a requirement.

Location: Students will be enrolled in the PhD in Fisheries Science graduate program at the Fisheries & Marine Institute, Memorial University, in St. John’s, NL, Canada. Memorial University is a hub of ocean sciences located in the Province’s capital. St. John’s is a safe and friendly city with great historical charm, known for its hospitality, live music, a vibrant cultural life, and easy access to wilderness and a wide range of outdoor activities.

Requirements:

• MSc or equivalent in Fisheries Science/Ecology, Statistics, Mathematics, Marine Ecology/Biology, Oceanography or related discipline
• Demonstrated quantitative skills in ecosystem and/or statistical modelling
• Strong writing and communication skills

Start date: April 1–September 1, 2025

Stipend: $30K/year for four years

To apply: Please send a cover letter explaining your relevant experience to, and interest in, the project, CV with academic references (contact information, reference letters not required), and university transcripts to Dr. Tyler Eddy tyler.eddy@mi.mun.ca<mailto:tyler.eddy@mi.mun.ca>. If you have an interest in one of the four project areas, please elaborate in your cover letter.

Application deadline: Applications will be reviewed as received. To ensure that your application is given priority consideration, apply by January 31, 2025.