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 The Environmental & Life Sciences Graduate Program here at Trent is broad and varied in its approach to research. We have a number of graduate student research opportunities available for M.Sc or Ph.D. students. Every faculty member or adjunct faculty member potentially has projects available and are willing to supervise your research. We would strongly urge you to review the Faculty Listing from this website and directly contact ANY faculty members whose research may interest you. Below, you will find additional research opportunities for which some of our faculty are actively recruiting. Are you ready…? List updated December 2011 MSc/PhD Hg isotope fingerprinting of mercury sources in the environment, especially polar regions. Contact Holger Hintelmann at hhintelmann@trentu.ca. MSc/PhD Development of passive sampling devices for contaminant monitoring. Contact Holger Hintelmann at hhintelmann@trentu.ca. MSc or PhD research opportunity in Arctic carbon cycling How would you like to do fieldwork in the Arctic? I am looking for MSc and PhD students to participate in a field research program on carbon fluxes from Arctic tundra. The principal research site is near Daring Lake, NWT; located 300km north of Yellowknife. Research topics include interannual variation in CO2 fluxesfrom tundra, variability in CO2 fluxes among tundra types, vegetation and climate controls on CO2 fluxes. Students with backgrounds in biometereology, biogeochemical cycling, climatology, ecology, or plant physiology would be most suitable for this program. Field work is essential, with all field expenses paid. Interested students should contact Dr. Peter Lafleur, Geography, Trent University: phone 705-748-1011x7487 or email plafleur@trentu.ca. MSc opportunities in Watershed Biogeochemistry At least 3 MSc positions are availavle for start dates between May 2012 and September 2012. Graduate students will investigate phosphorus, nitrogen, and/or calcium biogeochemistry in acidified forested catchments. Ideally, students should have a background in physical geography, environmental chemistry, and/or biogeochemistry. Projects will involve field and laboratory work and a valid driver's licence is required. Applicants should send a CV and a statement of research interests to Catherine Eimers (ceimers@trentu.ca) and Shaun Watmough (swatmough@trentu.ca). Graduate Research Opportunity in Wind Tunnel Simulation Studies See Full Ad The Erosion Research Group (ERG) at Trent University is seeking graduate students to conduct either MSc or PhD thesis research investigating topics related to surficial and atmospheric control of wind erosion and dust emission using Trent's Environmental Wind Tunnel (TEWT). Detailed information about this facility is avalable on the group website. Applicants may apply for admission in September, January, or May. An undergraduate degree in any of the following disciplines is considered appropriate: physical geography, geology, meteorology, environmental science, engineering, or physics. Please send an email outlining your interests and any questions that you might have in advance of your formal application directly to: Cheryl McKenna Neuman (cmckneuman@trentu.ca) Ph.D opportunity on cytokinin wheat yield regulation Candidate to undertake a thesis on the regulation of wheat yields by the family of phytohormones known as the cytokinins. Approaches will include mass spectrometric profiling of trace organic metabolites, gene expression analysis, and DNA marker development. The project will be undertaken in partnership with DOW Agrosciences, and the candidate will thus benefit from career mentoring and networking. Enrolment will be through the Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program in May 2012, and will be funded $21,000/yr for 4 years. More information the Emery lab can be found at http://people.trentu.ca/nemery/Welcome.html. Interested candidates should send a cover letter/email and CV to: Prof Neil Emery Biology Dept., Trent University nemery@trentu.ca 705-748-1011x7312 MSc/PhD Cyclic population dynamics in microbial predator-prey systems We have initiated experiments assessing variability in the dynamics and density dependence in algal populations (a model system), on patterns of population regulation and stochasticity. This research is being expanded into mesocosms involving algae and their predators, towards understanding the conditions promoting stability and regulation in predator-prey systems. Of particular interest is the source and role of predator time delays in prey population cycles, and how perturbations (alternate prey, habitat heterogeneity, climate change) affect cyclic dynamics and population persistence. This research may expand into other areas including quantifying prey traits affecting predation risk, evolutionary dynamics of prey, and extinction risk and population viability of predators and prey. Candidates should have a strong theoretical foundation and preferably some prior experience with similar systems. Contact Dennis Murray at dennismurray@trentu.ca MSc/PhD Perceived predation risk in amphibian tadpoles We will pursue several new research ventures related to our longstanding work on amphibian tadpole responses to perceived predation risk. We are seeking to better understand predator- and prey-driven factors affecting the density-dependent predation rate across a range of frog species and environmental conditions. We also plan to broaden our understanding of the structure and chemistry of cues associated with perceived predation risk in tadpoles as well as the eco-evolutionary factors shaping their etiology and function. We are undertaking work assessing the influence of hunger and sublethal disease on predator-sensitive foraging and predation risk in tadpoles, and are developing a more mechanistic understanding of the neuro-physiological underpinning of tadpole responses to perceived predation risk. Finally, we will develop models of individual risk and population viability for amphibians in heterogenous landscapes. The student will adopt one or more of the above research themes to be tailored to their particular interests. Contact Dennis Murray at dennismurray@trentu.ca Graduate Opportunities Drivers of biological invasions by 'native' species There has been growing awareness in recent years that cryptic introductions of non-native lineages and interspecific hybridization can both be important drivers of biological invasions by 'native' species. In my lab, we are using the cattails Typha latifolia, T. angustifolia, and their hybrid T. x glauca as a model system with which to fully investigate these processes. Wetlands are among those habitats which are most susceptible to bioinvasions, and in many parts of North America cattails have been identified as increasingly aggressive wetland invaders. By using a combination of population genetics, ecological studies, and common garden experiments, resesarchers in my lab will investigate the potential importance of cryptic Typha introductions (lineages that have moved from Europe to North America) to the increasingly invasive behaviour of Typha in North American wetlands. This research will generate important information that can help policy makers to decide upon the future importance of monitoring introductions of 'native' species through routes such as garden centres, because these 'native' species might actually represent non-native genetic lineages with the potential for invasive behaviour. Contact Joanna Freeland at joannafreeland@trentu.ca
MSc and PhD research opportunities under following projects: A. Soil Weathering and Calcium Release: Evaluation of the soil B. Atmospheric Nitrogen Dioxide in Southern Ontario: Evaluation of C. Exposure to Traffic Related Air Pollutants: Evaluation of personal D. Integrated Network for Biogeochemical Modelling: Modelling the For Further details on the above, please contact: Julian Aherne
Seeking MSc/PhD Students in Molecular Ecology & Conservation Genomics Dr. Paul Wilson is seeking MSc and PhD applicants for consideration on collaborative projects that will focus on molecular ecology and/or the conservation genomics of next generation sequencing of adaptive genes involved in species-at-risk conservation, range margin dynamics and hybridization. The species involved in these potential projects include polar bears, caribou, flying squirrels and deer mice. Candidates require strong quantitative skills and an ability to work within a team environment. Applicants should submit a CV, a statement of research interests, and the names and contact information for three references. Please submit applications to: Dr. Paul J. Wilson Canada Research Chair in DNA Profiling, Forensics & Functional Genomics Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON, K9J7B8 Phone 705.748.1011 ext. 7259; Fax 705.748.1003 MSc/PhD Roosting ecology of Chimney Swifts A collaborative project with Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Field work will be centered in the Deep River / Pembroke area of Ontario, and the student will perform thesis work at Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario. Field work will involve measuring the internal conditions (light, temperature, etc.) in active and non-active roost sites, as well as monitoring and analyzing behavioral data from roosting swifts captured on video camera. To Apply: Further details regarding the project can be obtained by contacting Dr. Joseph Nocera (joenocera@trentu.ca; Website at Trent University and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources or Annie Morin at Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd (morina@aecl.ca). Interested applicants should submit a covering letter, a CV, and contact details for three possible referees to Dr. Joseph Nocera. We will begin to accept applications immediately, and will continue to do so until January 9, 2012.
M.Sc./ Ph.D. Positions -- Molecular Parasitology/Biochemistry See full ad No laboratory experience is necessary but the student must have enthusiasm and willingness to learn. Full financial support is offered for qualified applicants. Interested applicants should submit a cover letter that includes a brief summary of your research experience/interests/goals, CV, unofficial transcripts, and names of 2 academic references to Dr. Janet Yee (jyee@trentu.ca).
MSc/PhD Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins and Indo-Pacific finless porpoises in east Asia (human impacts and conservation biology) See full adIn a collaborative program, researchers from Trent University (Canada), the Hong Kong Cetacean Research Project/Hong Kong Dolphin Conservation Society, Texas A&M University (USA) and FormosaCetus Research and Conservation Group (Canada/Taiwan) are seeking students interested in undertaking graduate research on the impacts of human activities on Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins and Indo-Pacific finless porpoises in Chinese waters. Various types of projects (including acoustics, boat surveys and land-based surveys (using theodolite tracking)) and levels of funding are available depending on the type and scope of the projects. Successful candidates will be those with great initiative, high motivation, positive attitude and good capability in designing studies. They will also have to be capable of working well autonomously as well as in a team and be comfortable conducting research in the region. Candidates with field research experience abroad (especially with acoustics, boats and theodolites) are preferred. A strong analytical ability is an asset especially at the Ph.D. level. Students interested in the above opportunities should contact both Drs. Bradley White (bwhite@trentu.ca) and John Wang (pcrassidens@rogers. Graduate and Postdoctoral positions Impacts of nanosilver on a lake ecosystem The positions would ideally begin between January and May, 2012. The graduate positions are intended to be funded at the Ph.D. level but we will consider exceptional M.Sc. candidates. For consideration, please send to the appropriate contact below (e-mail is preferred): a letter of intent, a statement of interests, a c.v., and the contact information for 3 references.
1. Speciation and fate of nanosilver in lake ecosystems. This part of the project will focus on determining the distribution of silver in nano-form, dissolved ionic species and insoluble complexes in water and sediments. Candidates should have a solid background in analytical techniques (e.g. ICP-MS) and/or the use of predictive models for speciation of metal ions. Contact Dr. Holger Hintelmann (hhintelmann@trentu.ca) and/or Chris Metcalfe (cmetcalfe@trentu.ca). 2. Effects of nanosilver on trophic interactions. This portion of the project will assess the ecological impacts of nanosilver addition on the ecology of lake food webs. An interest in zooplankton and/or the benthos would desirable. Contact Dr. Paul Frost (paulfrost@trentu.ca; http://people.trentu.ca/paulfrost). 3. Stress in fish in response to nanosilver addition. This work will focus on assessing the impacts of nanosilver additions on fish in terms of their population dynamics, body condition and bioenergetics, as well as biomarkers of stress. Contact Dr. Mike Rennie (Michael.Rennie@dfo-mpo.gc.ca; web page) and Dr. Chris Metcalfe (cmetcalfe@trentu.ca). 4. Food web and ecosystem responses to nanosilver addition. This portion of the project will determine how lake food webs and ecosystem function (e.g., decomposition, nutrient cycling, primary production) change due to the addition of nanosilver. Contact Dr. Marguerite Xenopoulos (mxenopoulos@trentu.ca; website)
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