Exclusive Scholarship Opportunity at University of Alaska Fairbanks | USA 2025″
Introduction
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About University of Alaska Fairbanks – Juneau Campus
The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) is a leading public research university located in the heart of Alaska. Known for its cutting-edge research in Arctic and sub-Arctic studies, UAF offers diverse academic programs ranging from engineering and environmental science to humanities and business. The university is internationally recognized for its expertise in climate change, geophysics, and wildlife research, making it a hub for students and scholars interested in the unique challenges of the northern environment. With a strong commitment to innovation, UAF provides students with exceptional educational and research opportunities in one of the world’s most unique and challenging landscapes.
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Scholarship Opportunity: M.S. Graduate Research Assistantship in Juvenile Salmon Ecology at the University of Alaska Fairbanks – Juneau Campus
Institution: University of Alaska Fairbanks, Juneau Campus
Program: Graduate Research Assistantship in Juvenile Salmon Ecology
Research Focus: Hydrologic variation and its impact on juvenile salmon movement, foraging, and growth
Closing Date for Applications: September 23, 2024
Position Start Date: January 2025
Duration: 2 years
Funding: Competitive stipend, tuition waiver, and student health benefits
Overview of the Graduate Assistantship
The University of Alaska Fairbanks – Juneau Campus is offering a unique M.S. Graduate Research Assistantship opportunity to study juvenile salmon ecology in Southeast Alaska streams. This project aims to investigate the effects of hydrologic variation—such as changes in snowpack, seasonal droughts, and high-flow storms—on the movement, foraging, and growth of juvenile salmon. As environmental conditions in the region change due to climate factors, such variations in flow regimes are expected to have a profound impact on the aquatic ecosystems that juvenile salmon rely on.
This position is part of a multi-disciplinary research collaboration involving the U.S. Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station, the University of Alaska Southeast, and the U.S. Geological Survey. Together, these institutions will provide a well-rounded mentorship experience, helping the selected candidate grow into a highly skilled researcher in the field of aquatic ecology.
Research Focus
The successful applicant will be responsible for developing a high-resolution mechanistic study to explore how different flow events (high-flow and low-flow) in Southeast Alaska affect food webs and juvenile salmon behavior. The research will emphasize how these flow events, including those caused by rain-on-snow events and atmospheric rivers, impact juvenile salmon in their freshwater stages before they migrate to the ocean.
Key research themes include:
- The influence of hydrologic variability on the aquatic food webs that support juvenile salmon.
- Investigating how juvenile salmon move, forage, and grow in response to changing water flow conditions.
- Exploring how ongoing and future changes in stream flow in Alaska’s Gulf rivers could reshape fish growth and life history.
- Using field data to develop models that can inform larger-scale ecological studies and long-term environmental monitoring efforts.
Qualifications and Requirements
The ideal candidate should have:
- A B.S. in fisheries biology, ecology, or a closely related field.
- Experience in freshwater ecosystems research, with strong field or lab research experience.
- An interest in ecohydrology—the study of interactions between water and ecosystems.
- Analytical skills to interpret ecological data and synthesize findings relevant to hydrologic variation impacts.
Preferred Experience:
- Prior research in fisheries, aquatic ecology, or watershed studies.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for disseminating research findings.
- Familiarity with fieldwork in remote or challenging environments is an advantage.
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Benefits and Funding
The selected graduate assistant will receive:
- A highly competitive stipend for the two-year assistantship.
- A tuition waiver for the duration of the program.
- Student health benefits, ensuring comprehensive coverage during the research period.
This assistantship provides ample opportunity for hands-on experience in a multidisciplinary and collaborative research setting. It also offers significant fieldwork experience, which is ideal for students looking to build careers in fisheries biology, aquatic ecology, and conservation.
Application Process
Applications must be submitted by Friday, September 23, 2024, with a start date scheduled for January 2025. To apply, candidates should prepare the following documents:
- A cover letter detailing your research interests and relevant experience.
- An up-to-date CV.
- Unofficial transcripts showcasing your academic performance.
- Contact information for three references.
Please send your complete application package to Dr. Ryan Bellmore at [email protected] and Curry Cunningham at [email protected].
For official website visit: https://www.uaf.edu/academics/programs/index.php
For online application: https://www.uaf.edu/admissions/apply/index.php#now
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the main focus of the research assistantship?
The assistantship focuses on investigating how hydrologic variability, such as high-flow and low-flow events, impacts juvenile salmon ecology. This includes examining how juvenile salmon move, forage, and grow in response to environmental changes, particularly in Southeast Alaska streams.
What are the key environmental changes being studied?
The research will explore the effects of climate change-induced hydrologic variability, such as diminished snowpack, seasonal droughts, and high-flow storms (like atmospheric rivers) on the freshwater stages of juvenile salmon.
What qualifications are required to apply?
Applicants must hold a B.S. in fisheries biology, ecology, or a related field. Previous experience in freshwater ecosystems research and an interest in ecohydrology are highly preferred.
Is prior field research experience necessary?
Yes, experience conducting field and/or lab research in freshwater ecosystems is strongly recommended, as the position involves fieldwork and the collection of ecological data from Southeast Alaska streams.
What kind of mentorship can I expect during the assistantship?
The position is part of a partnership between the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the U.S. Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station, and the U.S. Geological Survey, providing a unique multidisciplinary mentorship experience. This mentorship will help develop skills in research, data analysis, and ecological modeling.
What financial support will be provided?
The selected candidate will receive a highly competitive stipend, full tuition waiver, and student health benefits for the two-year duration of the program.
What is the application deadline and when does the position start?
The application deadline is September 23, 2024, and the position is set to begin in January 2025.
How do I apply for the assistantship?
To apply, submit a cover letter, CV, unofficial transcripts, and the contact information for three references. Send these materials via email to Dr. Ryan Bellmore at [email protected] and Curry Cunningham at [email protected].
What specific skills should I highlight in my application?
In your application, highlight your research experience, particularly in fisheries biology or aquatic ecology, your ability to conduct fieldwork, and any experience with ecohydrology. Additionally, emphasize your data analysis skills and familiarity with ecological modeling or statistical methods.
What makes this assistantship a valuable opportunity?
This assistantship offers a multidisciplinary research experience in collaboration with leading research institutions. It provides hands-on fieldwork opportunities in a critical area of fisheries and aquatic ecology, where environmental change is increasingly affecting local ecosystems. The project’s focus on hydrologic variability offers insights that can inform future conservation efforts in response to climate change.
Conclusion
This M.S. Graduate Research Assistantship at the University of Alaska Fairbanks – Juneau Campus provides an exceptional opportunity for students passionate about fisheries biology, ecology, and climate change research. By studying juvenile salmon ecology and how hydrologic variability impacts their life stages, students will contribute to important findings that can shape future conservation and management efforts.
With access to a competitive stipend, tuition coverage, and health benefits, along with expert mentorship from a diverse team of researchers, this assistantship will equip students with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience needed to excel in the fields of fisheries ecology and environmental science.