Funded Graduate Position in Salmonid Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation (M.S. or Ph.D.) University of Alaska Fairbanks in United States

Funded graduate research opportunity in Salmonid Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation at the University of Alaska Fairbanks in collaboration with the Prince William Sound Science Center.

The project is housed in the Salmonid Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Lab in the Department of Fisheries and focuses on the fitness consequences of salmon straying in Prince William Sound, Alaska. The student will study how and why salmon stray between populations and what this means for population dynamics, local adaptation, and long-term persistence.

This is a funded M.S. or Ph.D. position with a competitive stipend, full tuition coverage, student health insurance, and required university fees covered. Two years of funding are currently available, with opportunities to seek additional support through fellowships, teaching assistantships, and research grants.

Applicants should be interested in fisheries science, ecology, evolution, or a related field. Helpful experience includes quantitative analysis, population biology, genetics, or ecological modeling, though these are not strictly required. Strong communication skills and the ability to work independently and collaboratively are emphasized.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and the position remains open until filled. The expected start date is Summer or Fall 2026. Interested candidates should email Dr. Peter Westley and Dr. Peter Rand with a brief statement of research interests, an academic CV, and names of potential references.