PhD position in Antarctic and Arctic terrestrial ecology
A Ph.D. position is available to study the effects of nitrogen and phosphorus on the terrestrial ecosystems of Canada’s Arctic and Eastern Antarctica. The successful candidate would be expected to combine in-depth ecological analysis of plant and soil communities with flux estimates of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and water vapour from a 15 year fertilization/passive warming experiment at Alexandra Fiord, in Canada’s High Arctic. In subsequent years, candidates would be expected to do a similar analysis of the soil community ecology near the Casey Research Station in Eastern Antarctica. Candidates should expect to spend substantial parts of each year in the field working at either the Alexandra Fiord or the Casey research station. This position is a joint position between Greg Henry at the University of British Columbia, Geography Department, and Steven Siciliano at the University of Saskatchewan, Soil Science Department with substantial input from Ian Snape of the Australian Antarctic division. The ideal candidate will have a background (B.Sc. or M.Sc.) in plant or soil science with a strong interest in ecological level of analysis of community responses. Because the research will be conducted in extreme polar environments, the candidate needs to be an independent, self-motivated, resourceful and candidate should have some form of ‘polar fever’. If you are interested, please contact Greg Henry (ghenry@geog.ubc.ca) or Steven Siciliano (steven.siciliano@usask.ca or soiltox.com) for more details. Outstanding candidates with only a B.Sc. will be considered but should have some field experience. Candidates would be expected to begin this position sometime before May 2009.
M.Sc. in Soil Environmental Toxicology
A M.Sc. candidate is sought to participate in a study investigating the toxicological risk to northern people’s from contaminated soils. Candidates would characterize the distribution of contaminants in soil particles that adhere to hands. This contaminant distribution is currently unknown and may significantly alter the risk associated with northern brownfields.
The ideal candidate would have a strong analytical background and be interested in either toxicology or soil science. Candidates would be strongly encouraged to reside in a northern location for a least a four month period to liaise with the community and monitor inhalation and ingestion exposure routes during this period. Candidates should be willing to start in the fall of 2008 or early winter of 2009. Outstanding candidates who wish to pursue a Ph.D. linked with this project will also be considered.
The University of Saskatchewan is one of Canada’s largest centers for Toxicology and Soil Science research. With a combined graduate student complement of 100 students, the Toxicology and Soil Science faculty are a diverse group of researchers interested in all aspects of how pollution affects humans and ecosystem and how this pollution can be monitored, assessed and cleaned up.
Candidates should expect to be trained in a wide range of analytical technique as well as solid state speciation techniques through the Canadian Light Source located on the University of Saskatchewan campus. Interested candidates can contact Steven Siciliano at steven.siciliano@usask.ca or view the laboratory group at soiltox.com.