POST-DOCTORAL OPPORTUNITY: Waterfowl Population Biology in Arctic Canada
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: PhD in Ecology, Conservation Biology, Population Biology, Natural Resource Management, Statistics, Applied Mathematics or a related discipline, with a demonstrated focus on modelling of wildlife populations. Quantitative skills in demographic parameter estimation using mark-recapture methods but also knowledge of integrated population modelling.
GENERAL SCOPE AND EXPECTATIONS: A position for a post-doctoral Research Associate on the campus of University of Saskatchewan. The Research Associate will study population biology of arctic-nesting waterfowl, with a focus on geese and sea ducks. Scope of research will encompass population modelling using existing data sets. A particular priority is the estimation of abundance, rates of population change and relative contributions of survival, recruitment and movement among populations within a metapopulation of lesser snow geese (Chen caerulescens) or Ross’s geese (Chen rossii) in Canada’s arctic. The Research Associate may integrate existing data about climate, remotely-sensed arctic habitats, band recoveries, and live recaptures. Additional opportunities exist for vital rate estimation and modelling of other species of arctic-nesting geese and seaducks from existing data sets. Important assets include knowledge of sampling theory, mark-recapture methods, population modelling and the study of density-dependence. Experience with statistical software such as SAS, R, Mark, Surge, WinBUGS, or JAGS is preferred. Research results are expected to be published in the scientific literature and presented at professional conferences or agency meetings.
Level of support is equivalent of $50,000 CDN/annum, including benefits. Start date can be 1 December 2015, or as soon as possible thereafter. Dedicated funding for this position is time-sensitive and current end date is 30 September 2016. However, extension is possible contingent on further funding.
HOW TO APPLY: Applications should be submitted by email to joan.virgl@usask.ca with a cover letter outlining past experience and qualifications, research interests, a curriculum vita (CV), and a list of three references by 15 November 2015.