Get Your PhD in Biodiversity in British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest
Photo by Jack Borno
This week’s cool biology job takes us to one of the most fantastically beautiful locations on the planet – the coastline of British Columbia. My good friend Brian Starzomski (see my interview with Brian here) at the University of Victoria is looking for a PhD student. Since I’ve got the inside scoop here I can tell you that this would be an amazing opportunity for someone with the right credentials, and you couldn’t ask for a more wonderful supervisor than Brian. I would very nearly consider re-doing my PhD in order to snag this opportunity, it is that awesome.
The School of Environmental Studies at the University of Victoria (British Columbia, Canada) has an opening for a PhD student to join a collaborative team studying the interior and high-elevation biodiversity of sites in the Great Bear Rainforest and the Coast Range of British Columbia. The successful PhD student will be supervised by Brian Starzomski, in the School of Environmental Studies, University of Victoria.
Photo by Jack Borno
Responsibilities: This PhD position is part of a large collaborative project that seeks to understand the importance of, and processes structuring, interior and high-elevation biodiversity within the Great Bear Rainforest, BC, as well as in the Coast Range. The large trees and near shore regions on the BC Coast are well known and studied, but in fact much of the interior in this region is characterized by stunted vegetation in bogs and on mountaintops. Little is known about it. Further, climate change predictions for BC show significant impacts on biodiversity in these environments. The PhD student will be responsible for studying the drivers of diversity in, for example, plant, pollinator, or soil communities. Field sites for comparison studies include those surrounding the Hakai Beach Institute on Calvert Island, BC, and high-elevation sites in the Coast Range north of Whistler, BC. Photos of the 2011 field season can be found here: http://web.uvic.ca/~starzom/research.html
Photo by Jack Borno
For more information email starzom@uvic.ca. Applications (including a CV, transcripts, the names of 3 references, and a letter of interest) can be sent to the same address. Review of applications will start December 1, 2011 until a suitable candidate is found. Note that the deadline for graduate applications to the School of Environmental Studies is January 15, 2012. All candidates should read the details at this link: http://web.uvic.ca/~starzom/prosp.html.
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For more info, contact:
Brian Starzomski, Ph.D.
Ian McTaggart-Cowan Professor
of Biodiversity Conservation & Ecological Restoration
School of Environmental Studies
University of Victoria
Social Sciences & Math Building B225
3800 Finnerty Road (Ring Road)
Victoria, BC V8P 5C2
Arctic Wildlife Director in Canada’s North – This Week’s Cool Biology Job
Tired of the hustle and bustle of urban life? Why not apply for this extremely unique position in Nunavut. Igloos and Ice and Wilderness oh my!
The Nunavut Wildlife Management Board (NWMB or Board) is an institution of public government established under the Nunavut Land claims Agreement. The NWMB is the main instrument of wildlife management and the main regulator of access to wildlife in the Nunavut Settlement Area. This massive wilderness in the Eastern Arctic spans more than 1.9 million square kilometres (approximately 20% of Canada’s land mass), has an ocean coastline of 104,000 kilometres (43% of Canada’s coastline), and includes the marine areas of the Arctic Archipelago and the 12-mile territorial sea adjacent to Nunavut.
The Board is currently seeking a dynamic individual to fill the position of Director of Wildlife Management. The successful applicant will become a key member of a cross-cultural team dedicated to the maintenance of vital, healthy wildlife populations and habitats in Canada’s Eastern Arctic.
Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, this is a supervisory position based in Iqaluit. Duties of the Director of Wildlife include:
• Developing proposed policies and providing advice to the NWMB with respect to wildlife (including fisheries) management, resource allocation, habitat management and wildlife research in Nunavut
• Helping to develop and maintain necessary limitation on wildlife harvesting in accordance with the terms of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement
• Administering NWMB research funding programs, including identifying priorities, evaluating research proposals, recommending funding conditions, and tracking projects
• Providing strategic leadership to the Wildlife Section and supervising technical staff
Qualifications: A graduate degree in biological sciences or renewable resource management with experience in research or wildlife management is required. A minimum of a Bachelor of Science degree with extensive experience in biological research and resource management may be considered. Experience in northern Canada and in cross-cultural situations would be a distinct asset. Fluency in English is mandatory, fluency in Inuktitut or French would be an asset.
Salary and Benefits: The NWMB is committed to providing competitive salary levels to its employees. The pay level for this position is negotiable, to be commensurate with qualifications and experience. The board offers a full package of benefits, including allowances for accommodation, settlement and holiday travel.
Closing Date: December 2nd, 2011
For a copy of the job description and schedule of benefits, or to submit résumés, please contact:
Jim Noble, Chief Operating Officer
Nunavut Wildlife Management Board
Box 1379 Iqaluit, Nunavut X0A 0H0
Phone: (867) 975-7300
Fax: (867) 975-7320
Email: jnoble@nwmb.com
British Airways Seeks an Environmental Scientist…This Week’s Cool Biology Job
It’s no secret that the ecological footprint of the aviation industry is massive. However, I was ever so slightly encouraged to find the following job announcement from British Airways which seems to indicate an interest in conservation and sustainability. In their own words:
“The words ‘To Fly. To Serve.’ have been painted on the tailfins of our aircrafts since we first took to the skies. Although they’re rarely noticed, they always at the heart of everything we do. Part of delivering on this promise means ensuring our business operates sustainably. That’s why we’re looking for an experienced Environmental Analyst to oversee our carbon footprint and manage our climate change policies.”
From Greenhouse Gas Protocols and Carbon Reduction Commitments to Carbon Disclosure Projects, the successful applicant will advise all departments on environment policy. You will be expected to work independently to challenge current practices and make recommendations for improvements; and to shape BA’s position on sustainable biofuels while implementing a comprehensive carbon information system.
Taking on this high profile position means you’ll make a name for yourself across this global business. On top of large scale projects, day to day you’ll analyse options for carbon neutral growth, implications for market distortion and help the BA team stay abreast in this constantly evolving area.
Qualifications:
A degree (or equivalent experience) in a science-based or environmental subject is required, as well as excellent communication skills and an ability to understand complex issues and present clear-sighted solutions. Candidates must have an awareness of environmental issues affecting aviation, and work experience in a similarly-sized organization. Strong statistical skills will be an asset.
Closing Date: 18th November 2011.
For more information on the position and the application details please click HERE.