We are seeking a highly qualified candidate interested in pursuing an PhD in quantitative macro- ecology, to join our Global FinPrint project and help conserve and manage the world's reef shark populations. Based at the Ocean Frontier Institute at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and in conjunction with Vulcan Philanthropy and Florida International University, this is an exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of conservation for reef sharks around the world and to develop highly sought-after interdisciplinary research skills.
Reef sharks are among the most wide-ranging, yet least understood inhabitants of coral reefs. Currently there is little knowledge of how many reef sharks there are or how many would be there in the absence of human impacts. This lack of information coincides with dramatic, environmentally-driven change in the composition coral reefs and widespread fishing, making it difficult to conserve and manage many reef shark species. This interdisciplinary computer science/statistics and ecology project will involve management and utilisation of the FinPrint global database to study the social and environmental drivers of reef shark decline and conservation. The ideal candidate will have an undergraduate background in Biology, Data Science, Statistics or a related discipline, with experience in, or knowledge of, quantitative analysis, data wrangling, and research methods. Candidates should also have (i) the ability to work in an interdisciplinary environment; (ii) strong written and oral communication skills; (iii) database experience; and (iv) a desire to pursue quantitative conservation research. Most critically they will have a demonstrated ability to work as a constructive and positive member of a team. Contact information: For more information or to express your interest please contact Dr Aaron MacNeil (a.macn...@dal.ca) Applications will be reviewed until suitable candidates are found.
