Post-doctoral research opportunity – Stable isotope ecology

The Stable Isotopes in Nature Laboratory (SINLAB) at the Canadian Rivers 
Institute  (CRI) and University of New Brunswick (UNB) in Fredericton, NB, 
Canada, seeks an innovative and highly motivated individual to conduct multi-
disciplinary scientific research beginning in September 2008.  The successful 
candidate will be expected to conduct independent field and lab-oriented 
research involving the analysis of stable isotopes of carbon, nitrogen, 
hydrogen, and sulphur to address ecological issues. 

Principal fields of research by CRI scientists and students include 
determination of food sources and pathways in river ecosystems, study of 
migration and foraging ecology, tracing contaminant pathways, assessing 
impact of exotic species on native biota and biodiversity, and investigating the 
fate of marine-derived nutrients in freshwater food webs.  The individual will 
be expected to collaborate with other CRI scientists and graduate students at 
UNB.  Preference will be given to individuals whose chief fields of research are 
freshwater science, particularly fish biology and/or river ecology, but 
individuals with backgrounds in other sciences that employ stable isotopes will 
also be considered.  The successful candidate will be expected to actively 
publish his or her research in high quality scientific journals. 

Although the primary focus is on research, the individual will assist the Lab 
Manager by providing advise to clients and graduate students on sample 
collection and project design as well as interpretation of stable isotope data 
for their research programs.  The individual will aid in the development of new 
standards for use in C, N, H, and S analysis, and will actively participate in 
inter-laboratory comparisons with other labs in North America. 

Applicants must hold a PhD, preferably in the biological sciences, or 
geochemistry.  A solid background in population/community ecology and 
proven experience with stable isotope (SI) ratio mass spectrometers and other 
SI data analyses will be considered strong assets.  International students are 
encouraged to apply.

Salary: $40,000 CAD per annum.  Funding for the postdoctoral position is 
secured for two years, with a strong possibility for a third year of funding. 

The CRI is an interdisciplinary research institute with over 60 graduate 
students and scientists from diverse academic and government departments 
interacting to resolve complex issues in aquatic science. 

Deadline for receipt of applications : May 30, 2008.

Interested individuals should send a letter of interest, names of three 
references, and a full CV to:

Dr. Rick Cunjak, 
Professor, and Canada Research Chair in River Ecosystem Science 
Director, Stable Isotopes in Nature Laboratory ((http://www.unb.ca/cri/sinlab/)
Fellow, Canadian Rivers Institute (www.unb.ca/cri/)
Department of Biology, and Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Management
University of New Brunswick
Fredericton, New Brunswick, CANADA. E3B 6E1
Email: [log in to unmask]
Tel: 506-452-6204