We are always seeking good students to fill positions, and you should contact me directly for information on graduate positions or summer employment. Prospective students should have good academic standing, a solid understanding of ecological principles, superior field and quantitative skills, and an insatiable curiosity about natural systems. Applicants should work well on their own as well as part of a team, and all students are expected to publish their work before the end of their degree. Candidates for the positions listed below should submit a cover letter and CV to me directly in advance of a formal application to Trent University's graduate program. Postdocs are welcome to apply at any time.
NEW (2019) Snowshoe hare behavioural ecology (PhD)
We are initiating a PhD project on the behavioural and habitat-related ecology of snowshoe hares near Kluane Lake, Yukon. Snowshoe hares have been studied for >30 years on-site, and we are launching an assessment of the role of food and cover on hare population ecology. Using GPS telemetry and accelerometry, combined with detailed habitat maps, the student will assess spatially-explicit hare movement and behaviour in relation to resource distribution across the landscape. The work may also involve assessing diet composition through microbiome or chloroplast analysis and/or food composition and quality through feeding trials and related assays. Our team has worked on hares and their main predators, Canada lynx, for 5 years at Kluane, so there is already a large hare dataset to initiate the investigation. Currently, hare populations are at a cyclic low at Kluane, thereby providing a rich opportunity to assess temporal variation in behavioural dynamics. The PhD student will have the opportunity to develop additional research questions within the scope of the broader project.
NEW (2019) Snowshoe hare spatial dynamics (MSc)
We are initiating a MSc project on the spatial ecology of snowshoe hares near Kluane Lake, Yukon. Using remote sensing tools (e.g., LIDAR, NIRS), the student will develop a detailed habitat map to characterize available landcover features (i.e., food, structural cover) on our long-term hare study areas. The map will be validated using groundtruthing, and GPS-collared snowshoe hares will be used to infer spatio-temporal variation in hare movements across the study areas. The work may also involve assessing temporal shifts in landcover types, or modeling past or future landcover change based on forest disease epidemics and/or climate change.
Amphibian ecology (PhD or MSc)
We have projects available to assess the responses of amphibians to environmental stressors (e.g., pathogens, contaminants, food limitation, predation risk), exploring the heritability and plasticity of traits within and across generations and life stages. Our recent investigations in this area highlight the opportunity to test fundamental questions in stress ecology, evolutionary biology, and conservation biology via experimental, field and molecular techniques. The student will have the opportunity to develop specific research questions within the scope of the larger project.
Long-term ecological monitoring (PhD)
We are offering a project to assess the statistical limitations and biological inference of contemporary long-term ecological monitoring study designs and datasets, to help reveal the extent that existing approaches may be limited in guiding wildlife conservation programs or documenting broader patterns of environmental change. Currently, few robust long-term datasets of wildlife abundance exist, and there is the need to evaluate both the optimal design of long-term monitoring studies and the reliability of surrogate datasets (e.g., harvest statistics, habitat loss timeseries) in population analysis. Indeed, our previous work on carnivores and waterfowl (e.g., Murray et al. 2010, Ecology 91: 571-581; Murray et al. 2008 J. Wildl. Manage. 72: 1463-1472) revealed shortcomings that call into question the broader utility of existing approaches in population analysis and management. Through timeseries analysis, statistical power analysis, and simulation modelling, the project will address questions such as: 1) population timeseries attributes that are needed to reliably detect a numerical decline or increase; 2) the most robust statistical methods for assessing cyclicity and attenuation in fluctuating animal populations; 3) optimal design of wildlife surveys in heterogeneous and changing landscapes; and 4) forecasting population viability using limited or biased data. The student will have the opportunity to develop specific research questions within the scope of the larger project, and our lab-based model system (i.e., Chlamydomonas, see Borlestean et al. 2015 Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution doi: 10.3389/fevo.2015.00037) is available to test specific model predictions in an empirical context.
Design optimization for private protected areas (MSc or PhD)
We have a project developing a robust and universal strategy for selecting private land parcels for conservation. Using a variety of GIS tools, we will develop models for quantifying the conservation value of individual land parcels based on natural characteristics, anthropogenic effects, zoning, and connectivity, and assess their application using the highly fragmented southern Ontario landscape as test case. The models will be further tested across a range of restrictions to ultimately provide a set of general guidelines to assist NGOs in optimizing their choice of land parcels for protection. Ultimately, we aim to optimize procedures for designing protected areas networks across southern Ontario and beyond. If the position is filled by a PhD candidate, there will be additional opportunity to tailor specific research questions within the scope of the larger project.
Boreal forest responses to climate change (PhD)
We are offering a project to assess responses to climate change among native species in Canada’s boreal forest. The boreal forest comprises Canada’s largest biome but its state is rapidly deteriorating, including due to climate change. Our recent findings (Row et al. 2012 Glob. Chan. Biol doi:10.1111/gcb.12526; Murray et al. 2017 PLoS (ONE) 12(5) e0176706) forecast dire consequences to the boreal forest especially in the boundary region between Ontario-Quebec where disjunct east-west populations of native plants, birds, and mammals, and extensive loss of native biodiversity, likely will arise. Through field sampling, species distribution modelling, population viability analysis, and/or landscape genetics and adaptive genomics, the PhD student will determine: 1) the current and potential future extent of change in boreal species in the Ontario-Quebec region relative to less-impacted areas; 2) how boreal breakdown may affect population processes and viability of native species in the region; 3) whether invasives are colonizing the region disproportionately quickly compared to other regions; and 4) if native or invasive species in the region demonstrate genome-level evidence of stress or adaptation to environmental change. The PhD student will have the opportunity to develop specific research questions within the scope of the larger project.
Amphibian disease ecology (PhD or MSc)
We have projects to assess responses of amphibians to chytrid and/or frog virus #3 (i.e., Rana virus) infection. These pathogens are contributing to the global decline in amphibians, and there is increasing concern over their effect on larval amphibians either across strains of the pathogens themselves (which are known to have different levels of virulence), or through synergistic interactions with other environmental stressors (e.g., contaminants, food limitation, predation risk). Our recent investigations in this area highlight the opportunity to test fundamental questions in disease ecology, host-parasite co-evolution, and conservation biology via experimental, field and molecular techniques. The student will have the opportunity to develop specific research questions within the scope of the larger project.
Ambystoma salamander kin selection and aggression (PhD or MSc)
The Integrative Wildlife Conservation (Murray) lab at Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, is seeking an MSc student to investigate kin selection in unisexual Ambystoma salamanders. This system provides unprecedented means to test kin selection theory because relatedness can range up to 100% (even among larvae born from different mothers), and there are well characterized means to experimentally manipulate the costs and benefits of kin-directed aggression. Specifically, the student will design and implement lab experiments using salamander larvae and may evaluate one of the following questions: 1) How do larvae respond to their ploidy-elevated kin?, 2) To what extent is conspecific aggression influenced by food availability and conspecific density?, 3) Does predator exposure modulate conspecific aggression among kin and non-kin? 4) How does relatedness affect cannibalistic behaviour of larvae? Students will have the opportunity to develop specific research questions within the scope of the larger project.
Salamander genomics - a whole world of interesting questions! Independent research for genomics experienced applicants only.
NEW (2019) Snowshoe hare behavioural ecology (PhD)
We are initiating a PhD project on the behavioural and habitat-related ecology of snowshoe hares near Kluane Lake, Yukon. Snowshoe hares have been studied for >30 years on-site, and we are launching an assessment of the role of food and cover on hare population ecology. Using GPS telemetry and accelerometry, combined with detailed habitat maps, the student will assess spatially-explicit hare movement and behaviour in relation to resource distribution across the landscape. The work may also involve assessing diet composition through microbiome or chloroplast analysis and/or food composition and quality through feeding trials and related assays. Our team has worked on hares and their main predators, Canada lynx, for 5 years at Kluane, so there is already a large hare dataset to initiate the investigation. Currently, hare populations are at a cyclic low at Kluane, thereby providing a rich opportunity to assess temporal variation in behavioural dynamics. The PhD student will have the opportunity to develop additional research questions within the scope of the broader project.
NEW (2019) Snowshoe hare spatial dynamics (MSc)
We are initiating a MSc project on the spatial ecology of snowshoe hares near Kluane Lake, Yukon. Using remote sensing tools (e.g., LIDAR, NIRS), the student will develop a detailed habitat map to characterize available landcover features (i.e., food, structural cover) on our long-term hare study areas. The map will be validated using groundtruthing, and GPS-collared snowshoe hares will be used to infer spatio-temporal variation in hare movements across the study areas. The work may also involve assessing temporal shifts in landcover types, or modeling past or future landcover change based on forest disease epidemics and/or climate change.
Amphibian ecology (PhD or MSc)
We have projects available to assess the responses of amphibians to environmental stressors (e.g., pathogens, contaminants, food limitation, predation risk), exploring the heritability and plasticity of traits within and across generations and life stages. Our recent investigations in this area highlight the opportunity to test fundamental questions in stress ecology, evolutionary biology, and conservation biology via experimental, field and molecular techniques. The student will have the opportunity to develop specific research questions within the scope of the larger project.
Long-term ecological monitoring (PhD)
We are offering a project to assess the statistical limitations and biological inference of contemporary long-term ecological monitoring study designs and datasets, to help reveal the extent that existing approaches may be limited in guiding wildlife conservation programs or documenting broader patterns of environmental change. Currently, few robust long-term datasets of wildlife abundance exist, and there is the need to evaluate both the optimal design of long-term monitoring studies and the reliability of surrogate datasets (e.g., harvest statistics, habitat loss timeseries) in population analysis. Indeed, our previous work on carnivores and waterfowl (e.g., Murray et al. 2010, Ecology 91: 571-581; Murray et al. 2008 J. Wildl. Manage. 72: 1463-1472) revealed shortcomings that call into question the broader utility of existing approaches in population analysis and management. Through timeseries analysis, statistical power analysis, and simulation modelling, the project will address questions such as: 1) population timeseries attributes that are needed to reliably detect a numerical decline or increase; 2) the most robust statistical methods for assessing cyclicity and attenuation in fluctuating animal populations; 3) optimal design of wildlife surveys in heterogeneous and changing landscapes; and 4) forecasting population viability using limited or biased data. The student will have the opportunity to develop specific research questions within the scope of the larger project, and our lab-based model system (i.e., Chlamydomonas, see Borlestean et al. 2015 Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution doi: 10.3389/fevo.2015.00037) is available to test specific model predictions in an empirical context.
Design optimization for private protected areas (MSc or PhD)
We have a project developing a robust and universal strategy for selecting private land parcels for conservation. Using a variety of GIS tools, we will develop models for quantifying the conservation value of individual land parcels based on natural characteristics, anthropogenic effects, zoning, and connectivity, and assess their application using the highly fragmented southern Ontario landscape as test case. The models will be further tested across a range of restrictions to ultimately provide a set of general guidelines to assist NGOs in optimizing their choice of land parcels for protection. Ultimately, we aim to optimize procedures for designing protected areas networks across southern Ontario and beyond. If the position is filled by a PhD candidate, there will be additional opportunity to tailor specific research questions within the scope of the larger project.
Boreal forest responses to climate change (PhD)
We are offering a project to assess responses to climate change among native species in Canada’s boreal forest. The boreal forest comprises Canada’s largest biome but its state is rapidly deteriorating, including due to climate change. Our recent findings (Row et al. 2012 Glob. Chan. Biol doi:10.1111/gcb.12526; Murray et al. 2017 PLoS (ONE) 12(5) e0176706) forecast dire consequences to the boreal forest especially in the boundary region between Ontario-Quebec where disjunct east-west populations of native plants, birds, and mammals, and extensive loss of native biodiversity, likely will arise. Through field sampling, species distribution modelling, population viability analysis, and/or landscape genetics and adaptive genomics, the PhD student will determine: 1) the current and potential future extent of change in boreal species in the Ontario-Quebec region relative to less-impacted areas; 2) how boreal breakdown may affect population processes and viability of native species in the region; 3) whether invasives are colonizing the region disproportionately quickly compared to other regions; and 4) if native or invasive species in the region demonstrate genome-level evidence of stress or adaptation to environmental change. The PhD student will have the opportunity to develop specific research questions within the scope of the larger project.
Amphibian disease ecology (PhD or MSc)
We have projects to assess responses of amphibians to chytrid and/or frog virus #3 (i.e., Rana virus) infection. These pathogens are contributing to the global decline in amphibians, and there is increasing concern over their effect on larval amphibians either across strains of the pathogens themselves (which are known to have different levels of virulence), or through synergistic interactions with other environmental stressors (e.g., contaminants, food limitation, predation risk). Our recent investigations in this area highlight the opportunity to test fundamental questions in disease ecology, host-parasite co-evolution, and conservation biology via experimental, field and molecular techniques. The student will have the opportunity to develop specific research questions within the scope of the larger project.
Ambystoma salamander kin selection and aggression (PhD or MSc)
The Integrative Wildlife Conservation (Murray) lab at Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, is seeking an MSc student to investigate kin selection in unisexual Ambystoma salamanders. This system provides unprecedented means to test kin selection theory because relatedness can range up to 100% (even among larvae born from different mothers), and there are well characterized means to experimentally manipulate the costs and benefits of kin-directed aggression. Specifically, the student will design and implement lab experiments using salamander larvae and may evaluate one of the following questions: 1) How do larvae respond to their ploidy-elevated kin?, 2) To what extent is conspecific aggression influenced by food availability and conspecific density?, 3) Does predator exposure modulate conspecific aggression among kin and non-kin? 4) How does relatedness affect cannibalistic behaviour of larvae? Students will have the opportunity to develop specific research questions within the scope of the larger project.
Salamander genomics - a whole world of interesting questions! Independent research for genomics experienced applicants only.