Job Title: Ph.D. or M.Sc. to Ph.D. transfer in inter-specific interactions (wild horses, seals, bird life, vegetation) on Sable Island, NS.
Location: University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada and Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada Closing: Open until filled, however applications will be reviewed first on Jan 20, 2010 Opportunity Description: We are currently developing a long-term, individual-based program of research into the ecology and evolution of the feral horses living on Sable Island, Nova Scotia. As part of this initiative, we are recruiting a student to ask questions of inter-species and inter-ecosystem dynamics; in particular, interactions between gray seal and sea bird populations and that of the horses, with the potential to quantify not only mediated transport of nutrients from sea to land by pupping seals and sea birds but also subsequent impacts on habitat selection of horses. This exciting project may prove to be a rewarding opportunity for a student interested in bridging aspects of population, behavioural, community, and ecosystem functioning. Research will complement a team of at least two other students working on questions of horse life history and plant community ecology on Sable Island. The student is expected to begin on or before May 1, 2010, and will be guaranteed a full 3-year fellowship if working as a Ph.D. student or 4-years if starting as a M.Sc. and transferring into the Ph.D. program. Additional funding opportunities are available; we especially encourage students with funding in hand or who will be competitive for scholarships to apply. Applications are open to international students as well as Canadians. The student will be co- supervised by Dr. Philip McLoughlin at the University of Saskatchewan (which will also be the home department for the student) and Dr. Daniel Fortin at Université Laval (during the course of study the student will be expected to make visits to the lab of Dr. Fortin). The student will also be required to work alongside members of the Bedford Institute of Oceanography (Fisheries and Oceans Canada) and the Canadian Wildlife Service, who will be research partners in the study. Field work will occur during summers, principally in late summer. Travel costs between locations and for field work on Sable Island will be covered. Candidates should have a strong background in population and community ecology, behavioural ecology, and soil and/or diet analysis (including stable isotope analysis). The degree-granting institution will be the University of Saskatchewan. Review of applications will commence in March, 2009. Interested applicants should send a cover letter, CV (including references), and transcript via email to both Dr. Philip McLoughlin ([email protected]) and Dr. Daniel Fortin ([email protected]). For more info, email: Dr. Philip McLoughlin ([email protected]) and Dr. Daniel Fortin ([email protected]). Websites: http://www.usask.ca/biology/mcloughlin/ (in development) http://www.cef- cfr.ca/index.php?n=Membres.DanielFortin?userlang=en Additional information on Sable Island (the site of field work) can be found at: http://www.greenhorsesociety.com/
