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Graduate opportunities

A position is available for a graduate student to conduct ecotoxicology research at the Canadian Rivers Institute and Biology Department, University of New Brunswick.

This research will examine the effects of forest condition on aquatic ecosystem services of streams in Ontario and New Brunswick.  It includes field studies to determine influences of natural and anthropogenic disturbances in forests on aquatic ecosystem services such as organic matter processing, associated biological communities, and food web dynamics as indicators of aquatic biodiversity and ecosystem integrity. 

The most qualified applicants will have a solid quantitative background, expertise in spatial analysis and/or statistics and a strong interest in stream and riparian systems, disturbance, and ecosystem services. An MSc degree is required for entrance into the PhD program.  Experience collecting and identifying aquatic invertebrates, and strong communication and interpersonal skills are also assets.  Applicants should be willing to work in remote areas, sometimes under inclement conditions. The successful applicant will work at the state-of-the-art facilities at the Canadian Rivers Institute (www.canadianriversinstitute.ca), University of New Brunswick in Saint John as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

 The start date for this project is May 2013.  Full salary and research support are provided. Interested applicants should send an application, including a unofficial transcripts, a C.V. and contact information for three academic/research references, to:

Dr. Karen Kidd
Canada Research Chair
Canadian Rivers Institute & Biology Department
University of New Brunswick Saint John
100 Tucker Park Road
Saint John, NB
kiddk@unbsj.ca
www.unb.ca/saintjohn/sase/research/kiddlab/

Effects of acidification on mercury in lake food webs: Though remote, Kejimkujik National Park in Nova Scotia is a region known as a biological mercury hotspot because wildlife in the area have among the highest concentrations of this contaminant in North America.  A PhD and an MSc student are sought to build upon several previous studies at the park and understand the ecosystem characteristics that determine food web structure and promote the accumulation of mercury into invertebrates and fish.  Both projects are multi-disciplinary and include ecological and chemical approaches to understanding nutrient and contaminant flows in acidic lakes in this park. 

Recovery of riverine food webs from point source inputs:  An MSc student is sought to examine whether the structure of the Moose River, Ontario, food web has recovered after the closure of a pulp and paper mill, and to compare the results to historical stable carbon and nitrogen isotope data for this system. 

Ideal candidates will have an undergraduate or MSc degree in biological sciences, toxicology or a closely related field, a keen interest in and experience doing field work, some experience in aquatic invertebrate identifications and environmental/organic chemistry, and strong quantitative, communication and interpersonal skills.  The successful applicants will work at the state-of-the-art facilities at the Canadian Rivers Institute (www.canadianriversinstitute.ca), University of New Brunswick in Saint John as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

Start dates: September 2012 or January 2013.  Full salary and research support are provided. Interested applicants should send an application, including unofficial transcripts and contact information for three academic/research references, to Dr. Karen Kidd, Canada Research Chair

(www.unb.ca/saintjohn/sase/research/kiddlab/)

Ph.D. in molecular biology/molecular ecology

I am seeking a highly motivated student interested in molecular biology and molecular ecology for a Ph.D. research project in 2012 (M.Sc. may also be considered).

My research program utilizes molecular approaches, specifically genomics and proteomics, to characterize mechanisms of toxicity in fathead minnows. This research will contribute to a better understanding of the molecular signaling cascades activated along the reproductive axis in fish and novel knowledge of how environmental contaminants may contribute to human neurodegenerative diseases. This research also aims to develop sensitive molecular biomarkers to identify populations under environmental stress and associate molecular signaling cascades with physiological responses.

Please contact Dr. Chris Martyniuk for more information.

MSc in Bryophyte Ecology

As part of larger study on Coarse Woody Debris in partnership with J.D. Irving, Ltd.: Investigation of three potentially limiting factors on distribution of bryophytes in managed forests.

Are bryophyte species limited by microclimate of plantations, by availability of suitable CWD, or by their propagule availability? A combination of study approaches will be used to address a sequence of questions in plantations relative to unmanaged reserves (references).
 
Survey - Compare flora and CWD in plantations versus unmanaged stands – Data on large diameter CWD and bryophyte species occupying each piece of CWD will be compared between 3 plantations treatments and an unmanaged reference stand. (position filled)

Relation of bryophyte composition to plantation microclimate - Although augmentation with ex situ CWD is not a practical management option, transplant of CWD with known bryophyte occupants eliminates limitations of substrate availability and propagule dispersal, while accounting for natural population and compositional dynamics.  Units of partially decayed CWD supporting focal species will be transplanted from reference stands to plantations, with matched controls remaining in reference stands. (position filled)

Bryophyte composition in relation to availability of suitable CWD - Large pieces of fresh CWD, created by plantation thinning, will be experimentally transplanted into the reference site . These units, plus matched units in plantations, will be evaluated for CWD-related plant species (expected to be absent in Year 1), and in subsequent years. Colonization will be mapped and tracked in terms of species and abundance, as above.  (partially underway, some opportunities remain)

Limitation of plant focal species by propagule dispersal - Because CWD begins as a new substrate, community assembly is strongly influenced by colonization processes including propagule dispersal, germination and establishment. Because diaspore rain varies seasonally, sampling over multiple years is required.  (position open)

All subprojects require considerable field work in remote forested areas of Northern New Brunswick, and extensive bryophyte identification. Starting skill at identifying bryophytes is not essential, but would definitely be an asset. All subprojects are contingent on successful funding. For further information, contact Primary Investigator, Dr. Kate Frego. Canadian citizenship preferred, but all academically strong candidates will be considered.