Subject to the success of a pending grant application, positions will be available in early 2009 for two PhD students to conduct thesis research on the population ecology and genetics of invasive ascidian tunicates in Newfoundland coastal waters. An MSc in one of either Biology, Marine Biology, Biological Oceanography, Ecology, Molecular Biology or Genetics is required for each of these positions, as appropriate. The students will join a research team working on the genetics and population dynamics of invasive ascidians in Newfoundland. This work is highly relevant to scientific and management concerns of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada and will be done in collaboration with DFO scientists. One of the students will conduct field work on the population dynamics of invasive ascidians and the other will use a variety of molecular techniques, such as DNA isolation, polymerase chain reaction, and DNA sequencing and sequence analysis to develop species-specific molecular probes and quantitative PCR assays for native and invasive ascidians.
Two years ago, we discovered several species of invasive ascidians in several Newfoundland harbours, and our continued survey work is adding to our knowledge of the geographic distribution of these species on the Newfoundland coast. Invasive ascidians are a major threat to species diversity globally and to the economic viability of aquaculture farms both in Canada and abroad. Our work has resulted in the first report of invasive ascidians in Newfoundland, and one of our objectives is to obtain the scientific knowledge required to anticipate the potential for further invasion and to know when and where to apply mitigation measures.
The Ocean Sciences Centre of Memorial University of Newfoundland is located on the open coast of the North Atlantic Ocean, 10 km from main campus. The OSC consists of approximately 125 faculty, students and staff housed in three research buildings. There are more than 50 graduate students conducting thesis research at the OSC. For more information on the OSC please click on. Memorial University is located in St. John's, the provincial capital. St. John's is a vibrant city with a metropolitan population of ca. 200,000 and an exciting cultural and civic life. The climate is cool maritime, strongly influenced by the Labrador Current, which flows just offshore. Memorial University, the largest post-secondary institution in Canada east of Montreal, has an international student body of > 15,000 students and ca. 2,000 graduate students. For more information on Memorial Univeristy and St. John's, please click on .
Please send a letter of interest and your curriculum vitae, preferably via email, to the following address to indicate your interest in either of these positions.
Dr. Don Deibel
Ocean Sciences Centre
Memorial University
St. John's, Newfoundland A1C 5S7
Two years ago, we discovered several species of invasive ascidians in several Newfoundland harbours, and our continued survey work is adding to our knowledge of the geographic distribution of these species on the Newfoundland coast. Invasive ascidians are a major threat to species diversity globally and to the economic viability of aquaculture farms both in Canada and abroad. Our work has resulted in the first report of invasive ascidians in Newfoundland, and one of our objectives is to obtain the scientific knowledge required to anticipate the potential for further invasion and to know when and where to apply mitigation measures.
The Ocean Sciences Centre of Memorial University of Newfoundland is located on the open coast of the North Atlantic Ocean, 10 km from main campus. The OSC consists of approximately 125 faculty, students and staff housed in three research buildings. There are more than 50 graduate students conducting thesis research at the OSC. For more information on the OSC please click on
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