2025 MSc/PhD Opportunity – Now Closed
Join us in the ACS Lab!
Our highly collegial and productive Raincoast Applied Conservation Science lab is seeking applications for a MSc or PhD position to begin September 2026 (coupled to a technician position, based in Smithers BC, from May-August 2026). The project will occur in collaboration with the Northern Lights Wildlife Society, which provides injured and orphaned wildlife a safe and healthy environment before releasing them back into the environment.
The goal of the project is to examine the post-release survival of yearling black bears and its correlates, so as to inform husbandry, release site selection and other dimensions of rehabilitation and rewilding. The student would analyse spatial and survival data from 3 to 5 generations of releases. Two previous generations of releases (2024 and 2025) total 62 individuals. Released animals are fitted with GPS collars and their movements, fates, and any cause-specific mortality tracked. Continuing the work from the project’s inaugural MSc student, the successful applicant will be involved in release of ‘generation 3’ bears in summer 2026 (MSc), and potentially beyond (PhD).
We seek applicants with the following skills and attributes:
- Collegial, compassionate, and committed to healthy relationships within the lab and beyond
- Demonstrated communication skills, for collaboration with a variety of stakeholders
- Exceptional initiative, conscientiousness, and drive
- Strong organizational and leadership skills to coordinate field logistics across a massive area
- Excellent spatial and quantitative analysis skills, demonstrated via academic transcripts, an
Honours thesis, Directed Studies, and/or publications - Familiarity with wildlife GPS collars and data
- Experience with field work and handling wildlife
- Desire to practice informed outreach
- Interest, ability and academic records to prepare successful fellowship applications (eg. NSERC)
Our trainees receive strong intellectual, collegial, and financial support. $35K/year (MSc) or $40K/year (PhD) across funding sources, including the fellowships they earn.
Application packages should be sent to acs.labmanager@uvic.ca and include: 1-page cover letter, CV
(with contact information for referees), unofficial transcripts and formatted as one PDF with a file name that starts with their last name, e.g., “Jones graduate application 2025 – black bears”. Applicants can additionally enclose copies of publications or other forms of writing. Application period closes October 31. Only those selected for interviews by 10 November will be contacted.
