MSc Opportunity in Freshwater Fishery Physiology

School of the Environment, University of Windsor, Canada, AND Ontario Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry (OMNDMNRF), AND U.S. Geological Survey, Great Lakes Science Center

The prospective student will conduct research on barotrauma in stocked fishes at the Jordan River NFH in Elmira, Michigan. The successful candidate will participate in a project that has an international dimension and will offer opportunities to engage and collaborate with a broad range of scientists and managers in Canada and the US.   

Position Summary (Click for full summary)

We seek an innovative and independent candidate to assist with research to investigate compression barotrauma in Great Lakes deep water fishes. Recent evidence from several perspectives suggests hatchery-reared deep-water fishes undergo significant stress and morbidity when released into the wild, which has important implications for species restoration and stocking programs. Mentored by a diverse team of experts representing fish culture, fish health, and fisheries management, the candidate will undertake controlled experiments using a specially designed hyperbaric apparatus for fish, recording behavioural, physiological, and post-treatment histological and clinical pathological assays to document and characterize the incidence, expression and mechanisms behind this possible source of mortality for cultured fishes.

The candidate would be a graduate student through the School of the Environment, University of Windsor under the co-supervision of Dr. Aaron Fisk (U Windsor; fisklab.com), Dr. Tim Johnson (Ontario Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry), and Dr. Owen Gorman (U.S. Geological Survey).  The candidate would spend approximately 6 months a year working with US Geological Survey and US Fish and Wildlife Service staff at the Jordan River National Fish Hatchery (Elmira, MI).  Reasonable living expenses and a supporting technician while in Michigan would be provided to the student.

The candidate would have opportunities to learn career-relevant practical and applied skills from research team members with the Ontario Veterinary College, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Ontario Ministry of Northern Development Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry (both Research and Fish Culture), US Geological Survey, and US Fish and Wildlife Service.  Conference travel and some Great Lakes ship-based field experience will be afforded to the successful candidate.

Competitive stipend and benefits are provided at the University of Windsor (https://www.uwindsor.ca/graduate-studies/).

Apply

Interested applicants should send a statement of interest, current CV, copy of their academic transcripts, and contact information for two references to Dr. Aaron Fisk ([email protected]; https://www.fisklab.com/), Dr. Tim Johnson ([email protected]), and Dr. Owen Gorman ([email protected]) who will co-supervise the student at the University of Windsor’s School of the Environment.