PhD position studying the behavioural ecology and demography of Canada Jays in Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada

Ryan Norris (University of Guelph) and Dan Strickland are seeking a PhD student to join their research team beginning in Sept. 2024 to study the behavior and demography of a declining, range-edge Canada Jay population in Algonquin Provincial Park, ON, where they have been studied for 60 years.

The project will involve a combination of behavioural observations, tracking, and modelling to examine the demography of this individually-marked population, under study since 1964. The student will be based in the Norris Lab (www.norrislab.ca) at the University of Guelph but will collaborate closely with Dan Strickland and members of the Canada Jay research team. 

Field research will take place over 3-4 years from mid-Feb. to early May (breeding season) and for two weeks each Oct. (fall census). Access to territories is mostly on snowshoes and activities include nest monitoring, banding and measuring birds, tracking individuals over multiple seasons. Data analyses will include constructing pedigrees and developing population models to address causes of decline. 

Qualifications: Successful applicants will have a demonstrated interested in and knowledge of behavioural ecology & demography. Prior field experience and a strong work ethic are required. Domestic (Canadian) applicants with MSc degrees are preferred. People of all ethnicities and backgrounds are encouraged to apply. 

The position is a fully funded 4-yr PhD. The current minimum stipend for non-scholarship graduate students at the University of Guelph is $26,460 but topped up an additional $3,000 from the Norris Lab. There are also numerous scholarship opportunities, particularly for Canadian citizens or permanent residents, both within and outside the university that can increase the total annual stipend in the first year and/or subsequent years. All costs related to research are covered by the Norris Lab, including accommodation during the breeding and fall census field seasons. 

What you can expect from joining the lab: The Norris Lab works on conservation issues spanning a variety of taxa, including birds, butterflies, and salamanders. The lab is a social and supportive environment. Grad students always have the chance to take part in on-going field research conducted by other members of the lab. There are also numerous opportunities to collaborate within the lab, as well as with a well-established network of colleagues from other academic institutions, NGO’s, and government. All grad students in the lab receive support to attend at least one conference per year.

Interested individuals should contact Ryan Norris (rnorris@uoguelph.ca) by April 15 and include a CV, list of references, and unofficial transcripts