MSc position in marine ecology and conservation An MSc position is available in the Gosselin lab to study the ecology and conservation of the marine gastropod, Haliotis kamtschatkana (northern abalone). Populations of northern abalone in British Columbia have experienced dramatic declines in abundance since the late 1970s, and were listed as "Threatened" by COSEWIC in 1999. There is concern that abalone populations may never be able to recover on their own. The aim of this project is to identify the effective strategies for conserving northern abalone populations. This NSERC funded research project integrates marine invertebrate ecology, conservation strategies for threatened species, and aquaculture practices. The student will work as part of team and will have the opportunity to interact with collaborators from the BHCAP abalone hatchery, the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre (BMSC), and Fisheries & Oceans Canada. The project will include substantial field work, including SCUBA diving in one of the most diverse marine ecosystems in North America. This MSc will be part of a broader project, involving a team of 3 faculty and 3 graduate students, which will examine the survivorship, genetics, and growth potential of northern abalone. Research work will take place in spectacular Barkley Sound and at BMSC on the west coast of Vancouver Island. BMSC is an internationally renowned research centre with world-class research and teaching facilities (www.bms.bc.ca). Applications are currently invited for this M.Sc. position, scheduled to begin in May 2008. The selected MSc candidate will be guaranteed at least $17,500 per year in stipends. In addition, interested students holding major national or international scholarships are encouraged to apply, as they would receive a top-up award. We are looking for a bright, motivated individual who is a certified SCUBA diver (at least by May 2008) and who is keen on making a difference in understanding and conserving our marine resources. Prior research experience, such as the completion of an Honours or Directed Study project during your undergraduate degree, or previous employment as a research assistant, is viewed favourably. The selected student will join the dynamic MSc in Environmental Sciences program at Thompson Rivers University, in Kamloops B.C., Canada. If interested, please contact: Dr. Louis Gosselin Dept of Biological Sciences Thompson Rivers University Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For further information: Gosselin homepage: www.tru.ca/schs/biol/facpgs/gosselin/gosselinhome.htm MSc program: www.tru.ca/science/msces.html Kamloops information: www.tourismkamloops.com/
