U. New Brunswick - PhD studentship in environmental modeling of baleen whale foraging habitat

Open Position:  PhD studentship in environmental modeling of baleen whale foraging habitat to advance endangered species conservation 

Project Description: The Davies Lab at the University of New Brunswick in Saint John, Canada, is recruiting a new PhD student into our laboratory.  The candidate will conduct research exploring statistical and numerical modeling approaches to characterizing baleen whale habitat using field data collected from novel autonomous ocean ecosystem monitoring platforms that simultaneously measure the distribution of whales, their prey and other key oceanographic variables.  The student will have the opportunity to engage their modeling research in policy and management processes to advance real-world conservation efforts to save endangered whale species.  While the focus of the project is on computer modeling, the student will have opportunities to engage in sea-going field research and work with lab members to collect data that support their modeling efforts.  The student will also have the opportunity to engage with partners in industry, government, NGO and academic

communities in Canada and the US. 

Qualifications: An M.Sc. degree and demonstrated expertise in data science, statistics, oceanography, mathematical modeling, conservation science and/or ecology. Evidence of completing a thesis, publication or scientific report is required.  Desirable qualifications include experience in habitat modeling, computer programming especially in the R language, experience working with diverse partners, and scientific communication. 

Compensation: The position includes a $23,000 CAD per year stipend for 4 years and financial support for equipment, field data collection and conference travel. University entrance awards are additive. NSERC scholarship candidates are especially encouraged to apply.   

Setting: The Davies Lab is a dynamic, interdisciplinary laboratory that focusses on ocean conservation, ocean predator ecology, and oceanography.  We are a sea-going laboratory offering opportunities for students to learn the ins and outs of shipboard research.  Visit our website for more information about our lab and ongoing projects: https://davieslab.wixsite.com/davieslab.  The University of New Brunswick Saint John is located on the Bay of Fundy. The Department of Biological Sciences at UNBSJ is a collegial and research-intensive group with a strength in marine biology. Saint John is a vibrant port city with a historical core, great nightlife and restaurants, and access to wilderness and the ocean on its doorstep.  

How to apply: Send a cover letter detailing the evidence that you meet the required qualifications, career goals and fit with the project and lab, a recent CV, copies of undergraduate and graduate transcripts, and contact information for 3 references to kim.davies@unb.ca.   Review of applications will begin on June 15, 2021.  I expect the applicant to apply to the UNB Saint John Graduate Studies Program by July 15, 2021.