Graduate Research Assistant (M.S.): University of Wisconsin – Green Bay

School: Aquatic Ecology and Fisheries Laboratory, University of Wisconsin – Green Bay

Location: Green Bay, Wisconsin

Job Category: Graduate Assistantships

Website: http://www.uwgb.edu/

Salary: Based on experience

Start Date: 01/15/2017

Last Date to Apply: 10/31/2016

 

Description: The Aquatic Ecology and Fisheries Laboratory at the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay (PIs Dr. Patrick Forsythe and Dr. Chris Houghton) is seeking to hire 4 graduate research assistants at the M.S. level across three project areas listed below. In addition to the application materials requested, prospective students are encouraged in their cover letter to specify a position of interest and indicate how previous experiences have prepared them to achieve the project goals. Note that all students hired will have the opportunity (and will be encouraged) to develop other research aspects related to each project.

Position 1: We are seeking a graduate student to address important knowledge gaps regarding many of the small tributaries directly connected to Green Bay. Responsibilities will include but are not limited to: 1) quantifying intra and inter-annual variation in water temperature, discharge, nutrient (P, N) concentrations, suspended solids, and others, and 2) determining the underlying biological and ecological mechanisms controlling the community of fishes that inhabit these small streams and 3) estimating temporal and spatial use of food resources by individual fish species and determining how diet is impacted by anthropogenic use in the watershed.

Position 2: We are seeking a graduate student to evaluate the lower Fox River Area of Concern and west shore tributaries of Green Bay for the timing, production and drift of lake whitefish larvae. Lake whitefish adults have resumed spawning in all major tributaries after being extirpated for nearly 100 years. A secondary objective of this project will be to determine the spatial resolution in which trace elements in otoliths (i.e., micro-chemical fingerprints) can be used to appropriately delineate the natal origin of whitefish larvae produced from the major tributaries of Green Bay vs. offshore reefs in Green Bay and Lake Michigan proper.

Position 3: We are seeking a graduate student to obtain basic ecological and behavioral information on lake sturgeon reproductive ecology and early life history dynamics that can be used to direct specific restoration activities in the Fox, Oconto, Peshtigo and Menominee Rivers. The main objective is to quantify lake sturgeon larval production and drift dynamics of larval lake sturgeon in the Fox River. This graduate project will further seek to determine the location and diversity of benthic habitats that support adult spawning, as well as habitat selection of juvenile lake sturgeon and general river outmigration movement patterns using a combination of acoustic profiling and acoustic telemetry.

 

Qualifications: Prospective students should be highly motivated and display potential for working with various partners including the Department of Natural Resources and the Fish and Wildlife Service. A B.S. in fisheries/ecology/biology is required and experience with aquatic field work (including operating boats) and analytical/statistical techniques is desired. Applicants much have strong written and oral communication skills, and competitive GPA/GRE scores. Students must be willing to work as part of a dynamic research team and conduct extensive field and laboratory work in various conditions. Email cover letter, resume, transcripts, GRE scores, and contact information for 3 references to Dr. Chris Houghton mentioning this position in the subject line.

Contact Person: Dr. Chris Houghton

Contact Email: houghtoc@uwgb.edu