Fully Funded PhD Positions in Fish Ecology, Hydropower, and Aquatic Ecosystems at University of New Brunswick University of New Brunswick in Canada

The Canadian Rivers Institute at the University of New Brunswick (Fredericton) is offering three fully funded PhD positions as part of the New Brunswick Aquatic Ecosystem Study (NBAES). These projects focus on fish ecology and habitat connectivity in large hydropower-regulated river systems, specifically the Wolastoq / Saint John River. The NBAES is a long-term, multi-disciplinary study assessing the impacts of hydropower infrastructure on river ecosystems, fish passage, and flow management.

The three available PhD projects are: (1) Ecology of fishes below a large hydropower dam, focusing on the spatial ecology, behavior, and habitat use of fishes downstream of the Mactaquac dam; (2) Reservoir fish ecology, investigating the spatial and trophic ecology of reservoir residents and anadromous migrants, including the use of advanced telemetry and stable isotope analysis; and (3) Cumulative fish passage, assessing the efficiency of multiple upstream passage facilities in a fragmented hydropower catchment using PIT, radio, and acoustic telemetry.

Students will gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies, including telemetry and spatial analysis, and will interact with industry and government partners such as NB Power, DFO, and MNR. The projects are based at UNB Fredericton and supervised by Dr. Philip Harrison. Candidates should have strong quantitative, analytical, and fieldwork skills, and a commitment to high-quality scientific publication. Experience with fish passage, hydropower, or telemetry is an asset.

These positions are fully funded, covering tuition and providing a stipend. The application deadline is March 2, 2026, with positions starting in Spring/Summer 2026. Interested candidates should email Dr. Philip Harrison with a cover letter, CV, unofficial transcripts, and references. For more information, visit the Canadian Rivers Institute website.