University of Saskatchewan · Nationwide / location varies · posted today
A PhD studentship is available with Dr. Mitch Weegman in the Department of Biology at the University of Saskatchewan (https://www.ducks.ca/our-work/science/saskatchewan-endowed-chair/). The student will lead a research project on the population ecology of Greenland white-fronted geese, using 40-year data sets to address long-standing questions about drivers of productivity on breeding areas and subpopulation structure. The Greenland white-fronted goose population has continued to decline, from a peak of 35,000 individuals in 1999 to 13,000 individuals in 2025. Productivity is the proximate mechanism for population change and there is continued uncertainty about the degree to which breeding conditions explain variation in productivity. Further, there are ~45 wintering Greenland white-fronted goose flocks (subpopulations) with hypothesized differential demographic structure contributing to the decline and winter range contraction. This PhD studentship has been developed to encourage discovery with anticipated conservation application. Our project goals are to (1) estimate the environmental drivers on breeding areas of productivity in Greenland white-fronted geese, (2) identify structure in survival and reproductive success among 45 wintering Greenland white-fronted goose flocks, and (3) connect population and individual processes linking demography with individual movement and behaviour. The student will use data from thousands of neck-collared individuals and hundreds of GPS-tagged individuals spanning 40 years. This project is an international partnership among National Parks and Wildlife Service (Ireland), Aarhus University (Denmark) and University of Saskatchewan (Canada). There will be substantial additional opportunities for the student to collaborate on other projects in population and movement ecology. Prerequisites: Ideal candidates will have an MSc and undergraduate degree in ecology, statistics or a closely related field, and interpersonal skills to lead discussions among collaborators. Preference will be given to those with a strong quantitative background (e.g., experience with Program R, Bayesian methods) and knowledge of migratory bird ecology and management. Students must have a valid driver’s license. The successful applicant will be expected to publish manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals and present papers at scientific meetings. Salary and benefits: $35,000 Canadian per year plus compensation for tuition and fees Start date: 1 May or 1 September 2027 Last date to apply: 30 November 2026 To be considered for this position, please send the following (preferably as a single PDF) to Dr. Mitch Weegman (mitch.weegman@usask.ca): (1) Letter of interest summarizing your experience, (2) Curriculum vitae or resume, (3) University transcripts (unofficial are OK), (4) Contact information for three references.
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