Institution: Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada (www.trentu.ca)
Supervisor: Dennis Murray (Lab webpage: http://www.dennismurray.ca) The Integrative Wildlife Conservation (Murray) lab at Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, is offering a project (PhD or MSc) on Broad-banded Forestsnail ecology. The only known extant populations of Broad-banded Forestsnails in Canada are on Pelee Island and at Point Pelee National Park, and baseline biological and ecological data are currently deficient. This project will fill major knowledge gaps on the Broad-banded Forestsnail, including population sizes, demographics, life-history traits, using capture-mark-recapture methods across annual surveys. The project will also characterize habitat requirements, model habitat availability across southern Ontario, assess the threats posed by predation, and perform a comprehensive population viability analysis to predict the likelihood of species persistence in Ontario. Students will have the opportunity to develop specific research questions within the scope of the larger project. The funding package includes a competitive stipend, foreign tuition waiver (if the student is not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident), as well coverage of all research expenses. Successful PhD candidates will have an MSc in Ecology, Conservation Biology, or a related field, and demonstrated evidence of peer-reviewed publications. All applicants (MSc or PhD) must have strong field skills and/or modelling experience, and an interest in working collaboratively as part of a larger group. The student will join the Integrative Wildlife Conservation laboratory at Trent University (www.dennismurray.ca) and be part of an interdisciplinary team addressing innovative solutions to environmental change (www.create-enviro.ca). To apply, please send a cover letter, curriculum vitae, unofficial academic transcript, and contact information for 3 references to: Dennis Murray (dennislmur...@gmail.com). Application deadline is Feb 16th, but review of applications will begin immediately and continue until suitable candidates are found. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early.
