PhD Position examining effects of ocean noise on salmon

[Xavier Mouy <>]

PhD Position examining effects of ocean noise on salmon

We are seeking a student to begin a PhD in the Juanes lab (juaneslab.weebly.com) at the University of Victoria (UVic) and in collaboration with Svein Vagle (Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Institute Of Ocean Sciences, Sidney, BC) and Sheila Thornton (Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Enterprise Science Center, West Vancouver, BC). The student would be part of a DFO team working on threats to southern resident killer whales in BC. Our specific project is focused on the effects of anthropogenic noise in the ocean soundscape on killer whale prey, specifically salmon. Methods will include acoustic analysis of soundscape data, field and laboratory experiments.

Candidates should have completed a Masters degree in biology, physics, oceanography or related discipline and have a solid academic standing, excellent communication skills and a strong quantitative background. Knowledge of underwater acoustics, fish ecology/behavior, and facility with analyzing large datasets will be an asset. Preferred start date is January 2018, but there is some flexibility. The student will enroll in the PhD program in the Biology Department (www.uvic.ca/science/biology) or the School of Earth and Ocean Sciences (www.uvic.ca/science/seos) at the University of Victoria, Canada.  The laboratory portion of the research is likely to be conducted at the DFO West Van Labs and the DFO Cultus Lake lab.

While at UVic the student will be able to collaborate with a large group of scientists focused on the relationships between marine organisms and ship noise as part of a MEOPAR project (nemesproject.com), Canadian Healthy Ocean Network projects (chone2.ca), and with scientists at Ocean Networks Canada (www.oceannetworks.ca) who operate two world-leading ocean observatories in British Columbia.

The position is fully funded for 4 years.  Additional sources of funding are available thru the University of Victoria. The Juanes lab comprises a large active group of postdocs, technicians and students interested in various aspects of fisheries ecology and conservation. If you are interested in joining the lab please send a cover letter, statement of research goals and interests (max 2 pages), CV, unofficial transcripts, and the names and contacts of three references to Dr. Francis Juanes at by October 20, 2017.