A motivated, hard-working student is sought for an MSc position in Biology at Memorial University, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The student will be jointly supervised by Dr. Yolanda Wiersma (Landscape Ecology; www.mun.ca/biology/ywiersma) and Dr. Amy Hurford (Mathematical Biology; http://amyhurford.weebly.com/). This project will make use of existing data from satellite collared caribou in Labrador, Canada and will use these to test hypothesis about habitat use, movement patterns and herd fidelity. A background in wildlife biology or ecology would be an asset but because the project is not field based, skills in desktop/computer analysis are paramount.
The successful applicant will have experience in one or more of the following areas: Geographic Information Systems (GIS), spatial analysis, mathematical modelling, spatial modelling). Extensive expertise is not required, but the successful applicant should demonstrate an aptitude for applying quantitative and computational methods to ecological projects, along with a willingness to learn. The graduate program in Biology is one of the largest graduate programs at Memorial University. Situated in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador (the “oldest city in North America”), and has an active and engaged graduate society (http://www.mun.ca/biology/bgsa/). Memorial is a research-intensive university (the largest in Atlantic Canada) with a student population of over 18,000 in a highly liveable city. Applicants should hold a BSc in Biology with an average of 80% (A standing), and have demonstrated research experience (i.e., honours thesis). The funding package for this position is approximately $20,000 per year for a maximum of two years. Ideally, we would like the candidate to start either in January or May 2014. This position is open to all nationalities, however those applicants for whom English is a second language will be required to demonstrate proficiency in English. Interested candidates are requested to send a CV, unofficial transcript and statement of interest in the project/MSc program to Dr. Yolanda Wiersma (ywier...@mun.ca). For more information, please contact Dr. Wiersma (ywier...@mun.ca) or Dr. Hurford (ahurf...@mun.ca)
