We are seeking two graduate students (1 PhD and 1 MSc) to investigate microplastic pollution in rivers. The selected students will be based in Dr. Anthony Ricciardis lab ( http://redpath-staff.mcgill.ca/ricciardi/) and co-supervised by Dr. Rene Gregory-Eaves ( http://biology.mcgill.ca/faculty/gregory_eaves/), starting in Fall 2016.
Research objectives will involve one or more of the following, depending on the position:
· Determine the diversity and concentration of different forms of microplastics in the water column and sediments of the Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River system.
· Examine spatial and temporal patterns of accumulation of microplastics in flowing waters.
· Quantify consumption of microplastics by different species of fish and macroinvertebrates across sites.
· Determine the contaminant burden in fish in relation to microplastic consumption.
Applicants must meet the requirements of the graduate program of the McGill Department of Biology ( http://biology.mcgill.ca/grad/gradstudies.html). Additional qualifications for the MSc student include: 1) an undergraduate degree in biology, environmental science or a related field; 2) independent research experience; and 3) limnology, aquatic ecology, or ecology field course experience. For the PhD student: 1) Masters degree in ecology or environmental science; and 2) fieldwork experience involving the sampling of lakes or rivers.
Both of these positions will be funded primarily by the Trottier Institute of Science and Public Policy ( https://www.mcgill.ca/tispp/research-public-policy/2015-2017-trottier-fellows). Students will be encouraged to apply to the NSERC-funded EcoLac CREATE training program (www.ecolac.ca).
Applicants are asked to provide (1) their curriculum vitae; (2) names and contact information of references; (3) a short (<1 page) statement of research interests and elaboration of relevant course and research experience; and (4) unofficial university transcripts. Send applications or requests for information to Dr. Anthony Ricciardi ([email protected] ).
Anthony Ricciardi, PhD
Associate Professor
Redpath Museum, McGill University
859 Sherbrooke Street West,
Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 0C4
Tel: 514-398-4089
http://redpath-staff.mcgill.ca/ricciardi/
www.researchgate.net/profile/Anthony_Ricciardi
