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Polar Job Opportunities

Title of Position/Job

MSc graduate project opportunity
Institution

University of New Brunswick Fredericton
City, State/Province, Country

Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
2010-02-08
Position Type

Graduate Position
Closing Date

30-04-2010
Link

http://www.unb.ca/fredericton/science/biology/
Posted by

Claudia
Postion Description

University of New Brunswick Fredericton

MSc graduate project opportunity: population genetics

I am seeking a graduate student to join a collaborative research
program (funded by an NSERC Strategic Grant) on the ecology of the Bay
of Fundy mudflats. These mudflats are densely inhabited by amphipods
(Corophium volutator), which are the major prey of migrating
shorebirds and fish. The successful candidate will join a multi-
disciplinary collaboration between researchers at UNB, Carleton
University, and Mount Allison University. Our aim is to model the
environmental interactions between climate driven processes and the
population dynamics of C. volutator throughout the mudflats in the Bay
of Fundy.

The project will use DNA sequence variation to assess the level of
genetic subdivision and patterns of gene flow among populations of C.
volutator. This research will enhance our ability to model this
system by providing indirect estimates of the scale to which mudflats
are demographically independent. By extending the analysis to include
populations of C. volutator throughout its geographic range (east and
west Atlantic), this research will also provide deep insights into the
evolutionary history of this species during the major glacial events
of the Pleistocene.

The research will combine fieldwork with molecular data generation
(mtDNA and nuclear DNA sequencing). Successful candidates should have
a strong background in ecology and evolution, interests in population
genetics and statistics, and preferably some experience with molecular
techniques (but not required).

Applications will be accepted until a suitable candidate is found.
The anticipated start date is May or September 2010.

For enquires, or to apply, email a CV or resume, a letter of interest,
unofficial transcripts and contact information for 2 references to Dr.
Jason Addison (jaddison@unb.ca)

For more information about the Biology Department and Graduate
Studies, see:
http://www.unb.ca/fredericton/science/biology/
http://www.unb.ca/gradschl/