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Graduate assistantships in salmon and lamprey conversation and management at
the University of Idaho.
I am seeking applicants to fill 1-2 graduate assistantships (MS or MS/Ph.D.)
studying migration and life history biology of Endangered Species Act-listed
spring Chinook salmon and steelhead in the Willamette Valley, Oregon and the
migration ecology of adult Pacific lamprey in the Columbia River. Students
can be matriculated through one of a number of disciplinary and
interdisciplinary graduate programs (Fish and Wildlife Resources, Biological
Sciences, Water Resources, and Environmental Sciences) and will be
associated with a research program motivated by questions about the ecology
of fishes (http://www.cnr.uidaho.edu/uiferl/).
The ideal candidates will be highly motivated and collaborative individuals
with a BS/MS in one of several relevant fields of study (e.g. biology,
ecology & evolution) with coursework in chemistry and statistics, field
experience in aquatic or fish ecology, and desire to apply interdisciplinary
approaches to questions in fish and aquatic ecology. The ability to work
both independently and in collaborative settings will be essential.
Competitive stipends with full tuition waivers are available. Students may
arrive late spring or summer on a research assistantship to participate in
field work during 2012 and fully matriculate in the fall.
Potential projects include:
1) Reproductive success and causes of prespawn mortality in adult
spring Chinook salmon. Most spawning of salmon occurs above flood control
dams in the Willamette River system. Recovery depends on successful adult
spawning in headwater tributaries, but currently high prespawn mortality
rates are observed in many of these sites. The primary objectives are to
determine causes of prespawn mortality (e.g. thermal stress, disease,
energetic status) and identify potential management strategies to minimize
loss of adults prior to spawning.
2) Migration and spawning ecology of summer and winter steelhead in the
Willamette River. Winter steelhead are listed as threatened under the ESA
and there is concern that interactions with hatchery-derived summer
steelhead negatively affect winter steelhead. The primary objective will be
to determine migration behavior, distribution to spawning tributaries, and
spatial and temporal overlap of winter and summer steelhead on spawning
grounds.
3) Life history variability in juvenile spring Chinook salmon.
Preliminary evidence suggests the presence of multiple juvenile life history
types in spring Chinook salmon spawned in tributaries of the Willamette
River. This project will explore the mechanisms underlying these diverse
life history types and the consequences for survival to adulthood. The
project may combine structural and chemical elements of scales and otoliths
to reconstruct life history types and environmental conditions experienced
by juveniles.
Projects include substantial potential for development of independent
research topics as well as collaborative interaction with regional fisheries
biologists and managers (Oregon State University (Schreck and Kent), ODFW,
USACE, NOAA-Fisheries, and Tribal agencies).
The positions will remain open until suitable candidates are selected;
initial review of applications will begin 13 Feb 2012.
How to Apply: Please email the following to Chris Caudill
([log in to unmask]): (1) your resume or CV (including GRE scores and
percentiles); (2) a letter of interest, including research interests,
professional goals and prior experience, and (3) contact information for
three references. Prior to acceptance, students must also apply to the
University of Idaho College of Graduate Studies (see www.grad.uidaho.edu).
Christopher C. Caudill
Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
College of Natural Resources
University of Idaho
Moscow, ID 83844-1136
208-885-7614 (voice)
208-301-0809 (mobile)
208-885-9080 (fax)
http://www.cnr.uidaho.edu/UIFERL
<http://www.cnr.uidaho.edu/UIFERL/Christopher_C._Caudill.htm>
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