MSC AND PHD OPPORTUNITIES IN GLOBAL CHANGE ECOLOGY AT MACROECOLOGICAL AND METACOMMUNITY SCALES

Dr. Jeremy Kerr is seeking an MSc and PhD student to join his lab at the University of Ottawa. Our group is supportive and inclusive, and potential applicants are encouraged to read about the lab’s values at: https://macroecology.ca/lab-values.

Projects: Building on our previous work, we are especially interested in students who will test for impacts of climate and land-use change on biodiversity across spatial scales, ranging from continental to metacommunities in landscapes. We work on pollinator taxa in general and butterflies most commonly, but our macroecological research has included a very wide array of taxonomic groups. We are particularly focused on testing and extending key discoveries we have made that show that species assemblages across spatial scales track differences in thermal conditions, affecting their extinction risks as climate continues to change. The results of such research questions have informed conservation across spatial scales. Students will have the opportunity to integrate personal research interests into their research programs, which are intended to launch careers. Skills that are particularly vital for work in our lab include statistical analyses and spatial modelling (in ArcGIS/QGIS and R). The Kerr lab is active in science communication, in science policy, and in science advice in the policy arena. All students gain experience in communicating their results to the public through media and publication.

Qualifications: Must have completed a BSc and/or MSc in a related field, and must meet criteria for acceptance by the University of Ottawa Department of Biology (https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-science/programs/graduate/biology). Experience in a research environment is especially helpful, whether as a volunteer, summer student, undergraduate research student, master’s student, etc. Experience using R statistical software and ArcGIS mapping software is an asset, as is fieldwork experience for students hoping to pursue field-based projects. The capacity and willingness to learn new skills in these areas is vital.

Apply: Potential applicants are encouraged to read the lab website for a more complete picture of our research interests and values (https://macroecology.ca/). To apply, please send an email to Professor Jeremy Kerr (jeremy.kerr@uottawa.ca) with a statement of interest, a CV, and a copy of official/unofficial transcripts. Students are encouraged to contact Dr. Kerr as soon as possible, so that he can support students in applying for scholarships with fall deadlines for 2025 starts (i.e. NSERC, OGS). Please note that Dr. Kerr is leading a field course in early August, and may not have internet access during this time.