Diel activity of
Arctic charr: Phenotypic and ecological determinants
Unique Ph.D. and
M.Sc. opportunities in fish ecology in Iceland
The Department of
Aquaculture and Fish Biology of Holar University College in northern Iceland (www.holar.is) seeks bright, hard working individuals for three graduate
positions associated with the research project "Diel activity of Arctic
charr: Phenotypic and ecological determinants", funded by the Icelandic
Center for Research (RANNIS). The research project involves a collaboration
between Dr. Stefan O. Steingrimsson, Dr. Camille Leblanc, Dr. Helgi Thorarensen
at Holar Univ. College, Dr. James
W.A. Grant at Concordia University in Montréal, Canada, and Dr. Gudbjorg Asta
Olafsdottir at the Research Centre of the Westfjords, University of Iceland. Holar
University College is a small specialized university, with an ambitious
research program in fish biology, aquaculture and aquatic ecology, with special
focus on evolution, behavioural ecology and physiology.
The goal of the project
is to examine the phenotypic and ecological correlates of diel activity and
growth in stream-dwelling Arctic charr. Specifically, we examine the effect of personality
(boldness), metabolic rate, water temperature, food availability, interspecific
competition (w. brown trout) and stream habitat, by monitoring individually
tagged fish under a mixture of laboratory and field experimental conditions. The
project provides insights into how salmonids use, share and compete for
habitats in time and space at high latitudes, and how individuals vary in their
response to different ecological condition.
The positions offered are
for one Ph.D. candidate and two M.Sc. candidates. Ideally, the Ph.D. student
and one M.Sc. student should start no later than in the summer of 2016. The
second M.Sc. student is expected to start in January 2017.
The Ph.D. candidate will be enrolled at the Faculty of Life and
Environmental Sciences at the University of Iceland, but based at Holar University
College. Applicants should have an M.Sc. degree in biology or closely related
disciplines, have a strong academic background, and be able to work
independently in demanding situations. Prior experience in collecting ecological
data in the wild is an obvious advantage. Pending satisfactory progress of the
project, the Ph.D. candidate will be funded for 3 years (365 000 Icelandic
kronur per month).
The M.Sc. candidates will be enrolled and based at the Department of
Aquaculture and Fish Biology of Holar University College. Applicants should have
a B.Sc. degree in biology or related disciplines and have a strong academic
record. Each M.Sc. candidate will receive partial funding for 24 months (165 000 Icelandic kronur per month).
Applicants should contact
Dr. Stefan O. Steingrimsson at Holar University College ( stefan@holar.is). Applications should include
a recent CV, a short statement of research interest, names and contact
information for two references, and an academic transcript. The application
deadline is 1 May, 2016 or until appropriate candidates have been recruited.
Stefan O. Steingrimsson
(Ph.D.), Associate Professor Dept. of Aquaculture
and Fish Biology, Haeyri 1, 550 Saudarkrokur, Iceland