PhD opportunity: Evaluating correlates and drivers of fish productivity
We are seeking a motivated, enthusiastic and dedicated PhD student to investigate environmental drivers and ecological correlates of fish productivity estimates.
The focus of the project will combine both field work and analysis of long-term ecological data from the IISD-Experimental Lakes Area to (1) generate production estimates for a number of fish populations using a rich and unparalleled long-term mark-recapture data set, and (2) evaluate correlates (both environmental/ecological and indicators such as changes in fish life history strategies) of estimated fish productivity for testing and application in other environments, such as the Coordinated Aquatic Monitoring Program used by Manitoba Hydro. Field work will involve data collection from a contemporary set of lake ecosystems that vary along a productivity gradient, and the data will be used to validate productivity estimators generated from long-term ecological data.
This is a broadly-focused project that will require a organized and self-starting individual to lead field research and gathering/processing of appropriate long-term data from the ELA database. The student will be expected to lead field activities related to this project, including the supervision of an undergraduate field assistant. There is also latitude within the project goals to allow the student flexibility to develop specific research goals aligned with the interests of the student.
Skills that are strong assets (but not a requirement) for this project would include one or more of the following: statistical analysis (proficiency in R is particularly desirable), knowledge of mark-recapture estimation methods (proficiency in Program MARK or similar, as well as the models used in these programs), size-based analysis of ecological communities (including analysis and use of hydroacoustic data and deployment of equipment in the field), productivity estimation methods in zooplankton and/or fish, effective project management skills, and experience working with and handling fish in remote field conditions. Expertise in the lab exists for training in R, estimation of mark-recapture data (Program MARK), and size-based spectral analysis including the processing and analysis of hydroacoustic data.
The PhD student will be based at Lakehead University in the newly-formed Community Ecology and Energetics Lab, supervised by Dr. Michael Rennie. The student will also spend a significant portion of their time in the field at the IISD-Experimental Lakes Area, interacting with ELA scientists (Scott Higgins and Michael Paterson) and international researchers visiting the site. Collaborative opportunities also exist to work through Fisheries and Oceans Canada with Dr. Paul Blanchfield. Lakehead University is based in senic Thunder Bay, Ontario, a city of over 100,000 on the shores of mighty Lake Superior. Outdoor activities abound in the region, from hiking, canoeing and kayaking to downhill and cross-country skiing, all just minutes away. Thunder bay is within a day’s drive to Minneapolis and Winnipeg, 3.5 hours to Duluth, and has multiple daily direct flights to both Pearson and Billy Bishop International airports in Toronto.
The project is fully funded thanks to generous funding from Manitoba Hydro. Students will be supported through a mix of project and Lakehead University funding at a minimum stipend of $21,000 per year. Students who are competitive for additional external funding (e.g., NSERC, OGS) are strongly encouraged to apply.
Interested students should outline in a 1-page cover letter how their skills suit them for the proposed project, and indicate the date when they can be available to begin work. In addition, a CV and unofficial transcripts from at least the last two academic years should be provided, along with names of at least two potential references. Application information should be directed to: Michael Rennie (mrennie(AT)lakeheadu.ca). Only suitable candidates will be contacted for an interview. Ideally, students will be available to be at IISD-ELA during the summer of 2016, and will officially begin their PhD program in September 2016 at Lakehead University.
We will begin evaluating applications immediately, but the position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found.
————————————— Michael D. Rennie Canada Research Chair in Freshwater Ecology and Fisheries Assistant Professor, Department of Biology Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Rd., Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1 Office: CB 4050 Lab: CB 3005 Ph: 807.346.7860 Fax: 807.346.7796 @not_klaatu Research Fellow, IISD-Experimental Lakes Area http://www.iisd.org/ela Ph: 807.226.5162 x251 (at ELA) Adjunct Professor, Department of Biological Sciences University of Manitoba http://umanitoba.ca/Biology/
