MSc positions in Limnology / Stable Isotope Ecology

Two MSc student positions are being offered at the University of Regina (Canada) to take on projects that will be part of a larger research effort studying the impacts of climate and anthropogenic pollution on northern temperate lakes. The first project will concentrate on the effects of climate change and land use on food-web dynamics in prairie lakes. Special focus will be on the effects of salinity as global circulation models predict that increasing aridity will result in elevated salinities in many of these systems. This will have strong implications for biotic and abiotic interactions as well as for fisheries management strategies. The second project will compare pelagic communities and sediment biogeochemistry of drought-sensitive prairie lakes of southern Saskatchewan with pristine boreal lakes of northern Saskatchewan. Of special interest will be the potential for future acidification of these lakes because acid deposition is expected to increase due to excessive oil production in up-wind areas of the Alberta tar sands.

Students with an interest in aquatic ecology and stable isotope technology are encouraged to apply. Experience with lake food webs, stable isotope techniques and quantitative ecology will be an asset but is not required. Students are expected to participate in field collections and laboratory analyses, including microscopy and stable isotope analysis. Financial support ($15,000 p/a) will be provided through a combination of research grants and teaching assistantships. The starting dates for the positions are negotiable, but should be no later than fall 2009.