PhD opportunity in fish ecology A northward shift in distribution ranges of boreal species is one of the most apparent consequences of climate change. The abundance of forage fish from the north Atlantic, mainly sand lance and capelin, increases in the northern Labrador Sea, Davis Strait and possibly Baffin Bay. This could lead to increased competition with key Arctic species such as the Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida), but also to new fishing grounds for capelin and their predators. However, the distribution and ontogeny of forage fish in northern Labrador and the eastern Canadian Arctic remain largely unknown, which limits science-based management. We are seeking to recruit a motivated PhD student to lead a project on environmental factors regulating the distribution and recruitment of pelagic forage fish at the gateway between northwestern Atlantic and the Arctic. Using a combination of bioacoustic and trawling surveys, the successful candidate will assess interannual variations in abundance and distribution of co-occurring boreal and Arctic species in relation to biotic (distribution of zooplankton prey) and abiotic (hydrography and sea ice coverage) factors.
Location: The successful candidate will be registered in the PhD program in Fisheries Sciences offered at the Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland in St. John’s, Canada. Fieldwork will be conducted from research vessels in northern Labrador and the Canadian Arctic. A description of the program is available at http://www.mi.mun.ca/programsandcourses/programs/fisheriessciencedoctorofphilosophyphd/. Supervisor: Maxime Geoffroy (Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland) Co-supervisor: Louis Fortier (Université Laval) Requirements: Background in oceanography, biology, marine ecology or a related discipline from a recognized institution. Experience with bioacoustics and/or fish ecology is an asset. Start date: January 2018 Application: Please send a cover letter, curriculum vitae and University transcripts (official or unofficial) by email to [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> by September 5, 2017. This email is governed by the Terms and Conditions found in our Disclaimer<http://www.mi.mun.ca/ict/disclaimer>.
