Position Title: Ph.D. Research Assistantship in Multi-Objective Decision Analysis for Connectivity Restoration for Migratory Fishes in the Great Lakes Basin
Agency/location: Quantitative Fisheries Center, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University We seek a Ph.D. student, beginning in January 2019, to use a decision analytic framework (i.e., structured decision making) and existing modeling structures to evaluate the ecological, social, and economic consequences and tradeoffs of different methods of enhancing connectivity (i.e., from complete barrier removal to selective connectivity) for migratory fishes in the Great Lakes Basin. The case study for this project is the Great Lakes Fishery Commission’s FishPass project (http://www.glfc.org/fishpass.php), which aims to construct an experimental facility for selective fish passage to enhance connectivity on the Boardman River, Traverse City, Michigan. The student will work with ecologists, biologists, managers, and stakeholders to determine objectives related to migratory fish passage, evaluate the effects of potential actions on each objective, and make tradeoffs among these objectives. The student will also modify and create modeling frameworks for invasive sea lamprey and native migratory fishes to make predictions for management actions. Opportunities for a field component also are likely. Qualifications: M.S. in fisheries, environmental science, or a related field. Interest in fish ecology / population dynamics and structured decision making for natural resources management problems. Strongest applicants will have high GPA / GRE scores, a record of peer-reviewed publications, strong networking and social skills, and interest / experience in working with managers and stakeholders. Salary: $26,000 per year with tuition waiver. Closing date: Until filled Contact: Submit CV (including GPA and GRE scores) and a letter of application detailing background, accomplishments, skills, and career aspirations to Dr. Kelly Robinson ([email protected]).
