Project Description
A Ph.D. Graduate Student Assistantship is available at the University of Illinois to develop quantitative population dynamics models for several Upper Mississippi River System (UMRS) fish species representing a broad gradient of life history strategies. The models will be developed from (1) a 30 year time series of environmental and fish community monitoring data – the largest such dataset for a large river worldwide, known as the Long Term Resource Monitoring Program on the UMRS; (2) an extensive dataset on key abiotic drivers of population performance; and (3) a new database on vital rates of UMRS fishes including age, growth, maturity, and mortality. There is a need to better understand fisheries population dynamics on the UMRS, given intensive river management for commercial navigation, changing hydrologic and climatic conditions, and the effects of invasive species on a taxonomically rich UMRS fish community (~140 native species). Efforts from this body of work will be used to inform and guide active habitat rehabilitation efforts on the UMRS, and this work has been identified as a priority need by a broad partnership of federal, state, and NGO natural resource organizations.
This position will work closely with a network of state and federal agencies from Missouri to Minnesota to better understand past and future drivers of fish population dynamics across nearly 2000 km of river on the Upper Mississippi and the Illinois River systems, providing excellent networking opportunities while conducting cutting edge research on a nationally significant ecosystem.
This position will complete coursework through the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign NRES (Natural Resources and Environmental Science) program and work most closely with scientists at the Illinois River Biological Station in Havana, Illinois and the USGS Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center in La Crosse, WI, with additional and wider collaborations likely. The position will be co-advised by Jim Lamer (INHS) and Brian Ickes (USGS-UMESC). The Illinois River Biological Station (https://illinois-river-bio-station.inhs.illinois.edu/) is a collaborative and cohesive unit, and it is imperative that the student is able and willing to work well with others and be versatile.
Qualifications
- M.S. in fisheries biology, biology, or a related field is required.
- Must have a valid driver’s license.
- Must be able to swim.
- Must have strong computer, computational, and analytical skills, and have the ability to work independently and in a group.
- Must have a competitive GPA.
- The selected applicant will be required to work long hours in adverse weather conditions.
- Applicants with a strong background in fisheries and aquatic ecology research, statistical modeling using R and GIS software, individual-based modeling, and stock assessment are preferred.
Salary and Appointment: This position includes a 50% research assistantship with a tuition waiver through the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science (NRES) beginning in Spring 2024. The current monthly stipend for this assistantship is $2,768.00 plus a tuition waiver.
This position is contingent on the selected applicant’s ability to apply and be accepted into the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science (NRES).
Start date: January 2025 (Spring semester)
To Apply: For full consideration, applications should be submitted no later than September 10, 2024. To be considered for this position, please email 1) a cover letter that explains your interest and qualifications, 2) a transcript (unofficial is acceptable), 3) C.V. (including 3 references) to Dr. Jim Lamer @ lamer@illinois.edu (reference “Graduate Application” in the subject line). Any application that does not include all 3 of these required documents will not be reviewed.
For questions, please contact Dr. James Lamer, Illinois Natural History Survey, by email at lamer@illinois.edu or by phone at 309-543-6000.
