PhD research project available to study the influence of forest management on the interaction between WOODLAND CARIBOU and GREY WOLF
We are looking for a PhD student to participate in a research project on caribou and wolf interactions in the boreal forest of the Côte-Nord region of Québec. The research objective is to assess the efficiency of current management plans for the conservation of woodland caribou living under wolf predation. More specifically, the PhD student will evaluate the interplay between space use patterns and the physical condition and survival of marked caribou. The research should also identify how landscape structure influences predation by wolf. Overall the project should provide information useful to anticipate the long-term persistence of caribou populations in managed forests. The project will involve little fieldwork but will require a detailed evaluation of GPS locations collected on approximately 45 caribou and 6 wolf packs. The candidate will be part of a research group combining researchers and graduate students from Laval University (www.sylvifaune.ulaval.ca) and the Ministère des Ressources Naturelles et de la Faune (S. Couturier). Qualifications: Have completed an M.Sc. in biological sciences or forestry. Have a strong interest in wildlife conservation, quantitative ecology and statistics. Laval University is a French institution and some basic French is desirable. Knowledge of GIS is also an advantage. A fellowship of 19 000$/year is available for 3 years. However, students admissible for NSERC and FQRNT fellowships will be favored. Documents to provide: Applicants for this position should forward a short covering letter indicating their motivation, accompanied by a current CV, unofficial transcripts and contact information of three references. We will start reviewing the applications on 23 September 2009. Daniel Fortin Département de biologie, Pavillon Alexandre-Vachon, 1045, av. de la Médecine, Université Laval, Québec (Qc) G1V 0A6, Canada Email: daniel.for...@bio.ulaval.ca
