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Current Opportunities for Graduate and PostDoctoral Studies in Biology |
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MSc graduate project opportunity: population genetics I am seeking a graduate student to join a collaborative research program (funded by an NSERC Strategic Grant) on the ecology of the Bay of Fundy mudflats. These mudflats are densely inhabited by amphipods (Corophium volutator), which are the major prey of migrating shorebirds and fish. The successful candidate will join a multi-disciplinary collaboration between researchers at UNB, Carleton University, and Mount Allison University. Our aim is to model the environmental interactions between climate driven processes and the population dynamics of C. volutator throughout the mudflats in the Bay of Fundy. The project will use DNA sequence variation to assess the level of genetic subdivision and patterns of gene flow among populations of C. volutator. This research will enhance our ability to model this system by providing indirect estimates of the scale to which mudflats are demographically independent. By extending the analysis to include populations of C. volutator throughout its geographic range (east and west Atlantic), this research will also provide deep insights into the evolutionary history of this species during the major glacial events of the Pleistocene. The research will combine fieldwork with molecular data generation (mtDNA and nuclear DNA sequencing). Successful candidates should have a strong background in ecology and evolution, interests in population genetics and statistics, and preferably some experience with molecular techniques (but not required). Applications will be accepted until a suitable candidate is found. The anticipated start date is May or September 2010. For enquires, or to apply, email a CV or resume, a letter of interest, unofficial transcripts and contact information for 2 references to Dr. Jason Addison (jaddison@unb.ca) |
Posted August 2009:GRADUATE STUDENT OPPORTUNITY IN MOLECULAR SOIL MICROBIOLOGYUniversity of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada A PhD position is available immediately for a student interested in investigating the potential impact of climate change on denitrification and nitrification, major processes in agricultural systems that contribute to emissions of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide. Specifically, changes in the abundance, activity and diversity of denitrifiers and nitrifiers in agricultural soils in response to changes in environmental conditions overwinter will be assessed using functional denitrification and nitrification genes. The student will work under the co-supervision of Dr. Cheryl Patten, University of New Brunswick, and Dr. Claudia Goyer, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Potato Research Centre, Fredericton, New Brunswick, and in collaboration with students and scientists at the University of Guelph (Dr. J. Trevors), Nova Scotia Agricultural College (Dr. D. Burton), and the Potato Research Centre (Dr. B. Zebarth). Applicants should have a strong background in molecular biology and microbiology. Interested students should submit their CV including a brief description of their research interests, copies of transcripts (can be unofficial) and contact information for 3 references to: Dr. Cheryl L. Patten Email: pattenc@unb.ca or Dr. Claudia Goyer Email: Claudia.Goyer@agr.gc.ca |
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Posted April 2009: M.Sc. project in the Bay of Fundy, starting September 2009 Project: The upper Bay of Fundy has extensive mudflats created by its very large tides. These mudflats are densely inhabited by a tube-dwelling amphipod, Corophium volutator (commonly known as the mudshrimp), that is the primary food source for millions of migratory shorebirds. Currently, little is known about the winter ecology of mudflats. The M.Sc. project will investigate the effects of winter on population dynamics of Corophium, and will include a study of scouring by ice blocks (possibly a main cause of Corophium loss on mudflats). Application: If interested, please apply as soon as possible by providing a cover letter explaining your qualifications for the position, a resumé, a copy of your transcripts (it can be an unofficial copy) and names (and contact information) for 3 referees to: Dr. Myriam Barbeau Email: mbarbeau@unb.ca *Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. |
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Posted November 2008: Graduate Project Opportunities: We are seeking graduate students for a collaborative research program (funded by an NSERC Strategic Grant) on the ecology of mudflats in the Bay of Fundy. These mudflats are densely inhabited by burrow-dwelling amphipods (Corophium volutator), which are the major prey of migrating shorebirds and fish. Mud snails (Ilyanassa obsoleta) migrate seasonally onto the mudflats, disturb the mudflat surface and negatively influence amphipod populations. The program consists of a number of graduate projects, which will involve field work, laboratory studies and mathematical modelling: • Community analysis of mudflats: relationships between Corophium, competitors (snails), food (diatoms), predators (shorebirds, fish), parasites and abiotic factors (sediment properties, winter effects) – PhD project. Contact: Drs. Myriam Barbeau and Diana Hamilton (mbarbeau@unb.ca, dhamilto@mta.ca) • Winter population dynamics of Corophium – MSc project. Contact: Dr. Myriam Barbeau (mbarbeau@unb.ca) • Trematode parasites and Corophium hosts: effects of snail-derived parasites on Corophium populations – MSc project. Contact: Dr. Mark Forbes (mforbes@connect.carleton.ca) • Interaction between Corophium and sediment properties (including stability) – MScE in Civil Engineering. Contact: Dr. Katy Haralampides (katy@unb.ca) • Population genetics of Corophium volutator in the Bay of Fundy and northern Atlantic – MSc project. Contact: Dr. Jason Addison (jaddison@unb.ca) • Habitat use and dietary needs of migrating shorebirds encountering variable Corophium populations – MSc project. Contact: Dr. Diana Hamilton (dhamilto@mta.ca) • Analytical mathematical models on interactions between Corophium and other community components – MSc project. Contact: Drs. Lin Wang and James Watmough (lwang2@unb.ca, watmough@unb.ca) *Note: Some of the MSc/MScE projects may be converted to a PhD project. Application: These projects will start in Winter 2009 and Spring 2009. Applications will be considered until suitable candidates are found. If interested, please apply asap by providing a cover letter explaining your qualifications for the position, a resumé, a copy of your transcripts (it can be an unofficial copy) and names (and contact information) for 3 referees, to the contact professor indicated above. For general information, you may also contact: David Drolet or Dr. Myriam Barbeau |
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Posted June 2008 Graduate Student Opportunity in Fish Ecology Importance of freshwater winter habitat for the conservation of American eels A two year bursary is available to the successful candidate. This project is a collaboration with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) and could be based at either UNB-Fredericton or at the Gulf Fisheries Centre in Moncton NB. The applicant should have a strong background in biology, ecology or environmental sciences. To apply, please send curriculum vitae, statement of interest, university transcripts and contact information for three references to: Dr. Simon Courtenay or Dr. Marie Clément |
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Posted June 2008 Graduate Student Opportunity in Fish Ecology
Fish as samplers of the zooplankton community of Northumberland Strait A full bursary is available to the successful candidate. This project is a collaboration between the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) and the University of New Brunswick, and will be based at UNB-Fredericton. The applicant should have a strong background in biology, ecology, or oceanography. To apply, please send curriculum vitae, statement of interest, unofficial university transcripts, and contact information for three references to: Dr. Simon Courtenay or Dr. J. Mark Hanson |
| Posted April 2008
Graduate Student Opportunity in Aquatic Invasive Virology An MSc position is available for a student interested in the role of viruses as aquatic invasive species. This work is part of the Canadian Aquatic Invasive Species Network (CAISN), a research network funded by NSERC to examine vectors and pathways delivering aquatic invasive species (AIS) to Canadian waters. More information about CAISN can be found at http://www.uwindsor.ca/CAISN. The applicant should have a strong background in molecular biology. Experience in PCR, quantitative PCR and/or reverse transcriptase PCR are a definite asset. The position is available for start between May 1 and September 1, 2008. To apply, please send curriculum vitae, statement of interest, university transcripts and contact information for three academic references to: Dr. Janice Lawrence |
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Posted January 2008 Positions are also available for MSc or PhD students interested in the evolution of plant reproductive traits and diversity of sexual systems. Potential projects could include the evolution of separate and combined sexes in mosses, the evolution of generalist flower designs, or the effect of density and clone size on selfing rates. Other ideas are also welcome. Positions are available from January 2009. Interested students should contact: Linley Jesson |
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| Return to Home Page Maintained by: casey@unb.ca Last Update: 09 March 2010 This document: http://www.unb.ca/departs/science/biology/GradSchool/Opportunities.html |