PhD Student for Marine Mammal Institute - Geospatial Ecology of Marine Megafauna (GEMM) Lab
(Posted 10/17/2023)

Target Audience(s): Graduate Student


Institution: Oregon State University

Institutional Web Link: http://oregonstate.edu

Position Description: **This position will have a Fall 2024 start**

Interested in marine predator and prey response to climate change?

Our multidisciplinary project aims to understand how shifting prey (krill) availability and quality due to climate change will impact predator (blue whale)
health and population resilience.

SAPPHIRE Project within the GEMM Lab:
Synthesis of Acoustics, Physiology, Prey, and Habitat in a Rapidly Changing Environment.

We see a PhD student to lead one of these projects:
Project #1:
Assess relationships between krill abundance, oceanography, and blue whale behavior and body condition
Expectations:
Process echosounder data; conduct photogrammetry; process CTD data; work collaboratively; lead statistical analyses; broad written and verbal dissemination of findings
Desired skills:
Knowledge of marine ecology; data management, analysis and computer programming experience; strong communication skills; collaborative and independent worker

Project #2:
Integrate predator and prey physiological data to develop predictive models of species vulnerability and resilience to environmental change
Expectations:
Integrate diverse data on the health of prey (krill size and caloric content) and predators (blue whale body condition, hormone levels, reproductive rates) using Bayesian statistical methods
Desired skills:
Knowledge of Bayesian statistics; computer programming experience; strong communication skills; collaborative and independent worker.

Learn more about project SAPPHIRE here: https://beav.es/Tt3

Learn about the GEMM Lab, led by Dr. Leigh Torres:
https://mmi.oregonstate.edu/gemm-lab

Info for prospective students: https://beav.es/Ttw

Send CV and cover letter emphasizing your fit for the project to leigh.torres@oregonstate.edu



Position Type: Temporary Position

Funding Source(s): Other


How to Apply: Send CV and cover letter emphasizing your fit for the project to leigh.torres@oregonstate.edu

Application Closing Date: Until position is filled.