Call for Graduate Student Applicants (Fall 2021 & Winter 2022)
New project: evaluating the impacts of river infrastructure & translocation on freshwater mussel species-at-risk
Stream and river ecosystems in the Great Lakes have been highly modified to accommodate a wide range of ecosystem services. Infrastructure works such as bridge construction and dams often involve the translocation of instream biodiversity such as at-risk freshwater mussels. There is limited evidence on the effectiveness of translocation locally and globally, thus limiting our understanding of how successful these activities have been over time, and whether they can be improved upon in the future.
Drawing on recent translocation projects in southwestern Ontario including across the Grand River & locations and datasets from across the region, two graduate student positions are being offered to explore and understand the success of freshwater mussel translocation projects.
Key dimensions of this project include:
Freshwater mussel species identification with an emphasis on species-at-risk
Field surveys of river infrastructure sites with known translocations across southwestern
Ontario
Knowledge synthesis of existing freshwater mussel translocation datasets
Freshwater ecology – assessing the relationships between freshwater mussels, fish hosts
& their environment
Traditional ecological knowledge, education and/or stewardship related to freshwater
mussel communities and river food webs in southwestern Ontario
Two funded positions (1 MSc, 1 PhD) are available beginning September 2021 and Winter 2022.
Interested applicants are encouraged to email Dr. Catherine Febria (Catherine.Febria@uwindsor.ca) with expressions of interest including: (1) a clear identification of which dimension(s) of the project they would like to pursue, (2) relevant academic and work experience, (3) unofficial academic transcripts, (4) resumé/CV, and, (5) names and contacts for three references.
Prospective applicants have their choice of graduate programs at the University of Windsor: the Dept. of Integrative Biology or the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research (GLIER) and are thus encouraged to examine both programs, essential requirements and deadlines for application. Applicants also have the opportunity to bolster their experience with further training and internship opportunities through FishCAST, a newly launched NSERC CREATE program based out of the University of Windsor.
Water is life. We respectfully acknowledge that this research is conducted on the traditional lands of multiple First Nations who have deep and rich connections to these rivers since time immemorial, thus Indigenous applicants are especially encouraged to apply & they will be supported to thrive in our team with ample time & space to connect this project to communities, traditional ways of knowing and other expressions and directions of their choosing.
The Healthy Headwaters Lab is committed to a just, equitable, diverse and inclusive research environment to ensure excellence, impact and work towards reconciliation with Indigenous peoples across Turtle Island. For any further questions, please contact Catherine.Febria@uwindsor.ca.
