Oferta compartida por Cristina
PhD scholarship within fish ecology and alpine aquatic community ecology
About the position
Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management (MINA) at Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), has a vacant 3-year PhD position related to salmonid species in alpine lakes (Canada).
The main objectives of this PhD project: 1) understanding and quantifying baseline status of these ecosystems and 2) identifying the processes that are the most susceptible to alter this baseline in response to global climate change. In order to meet these objectives, we will sample the food-web of alpine lakes during the winter and summer, during three years in the Chic-Chocs mountains of Quebec, Canada. This project will adopt an approach at the nexus of biogeochemistry and community ecology to better describe and understand these unique ecosystems, with an emphasis on three salmonid species (e.i., Arctic charr, brook charr and lake trout). Winter conditions are poorly understood factors that may determine summertime characteristics, resulting in cascading effects between seasons and food webs (e.g., phytoplankton, zooplankton, and fish).
The candidate will have access to a wide range of data – habitat use and diet (isotopes and fatty acids and acoustic telemetry data) and growth (juvenile and adult growth rate based on back-calculated otoliths), and their expressions at different scales of intra- and interspecific competition and through different environmental conditions (seasons and years).
The research conducted in this position will be closely linked to a key task of the recently established knowledge hub from the Canadian Mountain Network (https://www.canadianmountainnetwork.ca/fr/research/knowledge-hubs/developing-knowledge-of-aquatic-realities-in-chic-choc-mountains), where NMBU is the co-leader of this network.
The applicant is made aware that an application for a PhD position at NMBU is at the same time an application for admission to a PhD programme at the institution. The documentation that is necessary to ensure that the admission requirements are met must be uploaded as an attachment.
Main tasks
To study cascading effects of winter conditions on fish population dynamics and through the food-webs: top-down, bottom-up, and feedback loops
Conduct field work in alpine lakes in the Chic-Chocs (Canada).
Use a wide range of data, from telemetry (e.g., habitat use) growth, isotopes and fatty acids of three salmonid species, to food-web components.
Collaborate closely with other students and researchers in the fields of fish ecology, limnology, geochemistry, biogeochemistry, and genomics.
The specific tasks will be adjusted to the candidate’s interest and background.
The successful candidate is expected to enter a plan for the progress of the work towards a PhD degree during the first months of the appointment, with a view to completing a doctorate within the PhD scholarship period.
Competence
The successful applicant must meet the conditions defined for admission to a PhD programme at NMBU. The applicant must have an academically relevant education corresponding to a five-year Norwegian degree programme, where 120 credits are at master's degree level. The applicant must have a documented strong academic background from previous studies and be able to document proficiency in both written and oral English. For more detailed information on the admission criteria please see the PhD Regulations and the relevant PhD programme description.
The applicant must document expertise and interest in the research subject.
Required Academic qualifications:Master’s degree in a relevant scientific field, such as fish ecology, aquatic ecology, or environmental science. Preferably obtained within the last 5 years.
The following experiences and skills will be advantageous:Experience with aquatic field work.
Knowledge of telemetry is a strong asset.
Familiarity with alpine limnology and fish population dynamic.
Scientific publications within related subjects.
Experience from field work in remote locations.
Knowledge of statistics and R
You need to:be solution-oriented and possess the ability for independent work displaying initiative and careful thought.
have an analytical and academic approach to research questions.
have good collaborative/social skills.
have a keen interest in spending prolonged field work periods in Canada.
have strong skills in written English and experience with academic writing.
Remuneration and further information
The position is placed in government pay scale position code 1017 PhD. Fellow. PhD. Fellows are normally placed in pay grade 54 (NOK 501 200,-) on the Norwegian Government salary scale upon employment and follow ordinary meriting regulations.
Employment is conducted according to national guidelines for University and Technical College PhD scholars.
For further information, please contact Dr. Louise Chavarie, researcher at MINA, NMBU; E-mail: louise.chavarie@nmbu.no or Dr. Jean-Sébastien Moore; E-mail: jean-sebastien.moore@bio.ulaval.ca.
Information for PhD applicants and information to applicants
