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I'm always interested in hearing from motivated, creative and naturally curious prospective students and post-docs. Much (most) of the research in the lab is driven by an intense curiosity about our study systems, and a desire to apply what we learn from these systems to better understand more general patterns in ecology. If you're passionate about wildlife and the natural world, and get excited about research in one of the spheres below (or, ideally, more than one), please get in touch. If your idea of a great weekend involves a long hike over a mountain pass, followed by an evening in the pub boring your non-biologist friends about the latest finding in ecology/evolution/physiology, you'll fit right in!
Research projects in my group typically occur within long-studied, comprehensive and collaborative wild mammal study systems (please see more information under the 'Research' tab). These systems offer a number of tangible benefits (e.g., access to high quality long-term data, a highly stimulating academic network), but also come with expectations. Most projects will involve at least some fieldwork, and many lab members will spend full field seasons (typically May-August) in the field (admittedly, at spectacularly beautiful locations!). Some degree of quantitative/statistical proficiency (or a willingness to gain it) is expected. An ability to work well with other graduate students, post-docs and PIs within and outside of the UofS is also imperative. The success of these projects has come not only from their scientific power, but also the highly productive relationships among the researchers. As a member of the lab, you can be expected to benefit from, and contribute to, these relationships. I've included some information on application procedures and potential funding sources for prospective graduate students and post-docs below. If you are interested in applying to study in the group, please send an email outlining your research interests and what excites you about the research about being conducted in the lab. Some idea of potential research topics that would interest you would also be helpful. Please also include a copy of your transcripts (unofficial is fine).
UofS students looking to undertake an independent research project (e.g., BIOL 480/481, NSERC USRA) can find more information under the 'Teaching' tab.
For Prospective Graduate Students
For right or wrong, your GPA will be an important determinant of whether I'm able to accept you as a new graduate student. While I don't view marks as the only, or even most telling, predictor of future success in graduate school, the GPA requirements for funding at the UofS are fairly stringent (typically a GPA >80% in your last two years of schooling will be necessary to compete for funding). I place as much, or more, weight on attitude, work ethic and enthusiasm. In particular, I highly value past productive research experience (e.g., if you're a prospective Ph.D., student, have you published your M.Sc. research, or are at least in the process of it?; if you're a prospective M.Sc. student, did you do an honour's project? work on a summer field project?). On the plus side, the UofS is very welcoming to international students (international tuition rates are only slightly higher that those for Canadian students and nationality is not considered in internal scholarship competitions).
Admission requirements: (Note these should be considered minimum requirements and requirements for funding will be much higher (i.e., a minimum GPA of ~80-85% (depending on the year)).
https://www.usask.ca/cgsr/admission/index.php
Departmental deadlines:
We do not have specific application deadlines and accept applications throughout the year. However, there are some dates that you should keep in mind. We have three intake periods (Fall: September 1; Winter: January 1; Spring: May 1). You will want to ensure that your application is received a couple of months prior to your preferred intake period to ensure that it can go through all of the channels and prevent any delays in starting. Note the first step (not indicated in the previous link) is to contact ME. You will also want to be aware of various funding deadlines. I have indicated some of the big ones below.
Funding sources:
External:
NSERC (e.g. Canada Graduate Scholarships, Post Graduate Scholarships, Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships).
Most NSERC competitions are only open to Canadian citizens or permanent residents, with the Vanier being an exception. NSERC awards are very competitive, but prestigious and look fantastic on your CV. I highly recommend that, if eligible, students consider applying for these funding sources.
Deadline (to be received at NSERC): October 15 (Internal deadlines will be a few weeks before this. Get in touch if you are interested in putting in an application).
Fulbright
These awards are designed to facilitate academic exchange between Canada and the USA. American students interested in studying in Canada are encouraged to apply.
Deadline: November
More...
There are a number of scholarships available to international students interested in studying in Canada. The link above is to a search engine that will return available programs depending on your country of origin. Also look here for scholarships available at the University of Saskatchewan for students from a number of different countries.
Internal:
Dean's Scholarship
Dean's Scholarships are available to all prospective students, regardless of nationality. They represent an excellent option for students who would otherwise be competitive for NSERC, but do not meet the citizenship requirements.
Deadline: Round 1 - Late November/early December (for students seeking to begin their studies in January of the following year); Round 2 - Late February/early March (for students seeking to begin their studies in April or September of the current year).
University of Saskatchewan Graduate Awards
These scholarships and fellowships are available to all prospective students, regardless of nationality. They will involve a service requirement (typically some TAing) and are probably the most common source of funding for graduate students at the University of Saskatchewan.
Deadline: March
For Prospective Postdocs:
The long-term study systems that form the core of my research program provide ideal academic environments for post-doctoral scholars and have been home to many successful post-doctoral scholars (including me!). If you are interested in being involved with one of these projects, please get in touch. Many of the things I look for in prospective graduate students also apply to prospective post-docs, with a higher value placed on past research productivity. I, unfortunately, do not currently have funding so support a post-doc, but am very willing to work with you to put together an application to one of the agencies below.
Funding sources:
NSERC (Postdoctoral Fellowships and Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships)
Postdoctoral Fellowships are only available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, but Banting Fellowships are available to both national and international students. Both are highly prestigious. Funding has been low in recent years, so competition as been high, but I encourage all eligible prospective post-docs to apply.
Deadline (to be received at NSERC): October 15
Marie Curie
For researchers from EU member states and associated countries to undertake research in Canada (or elsewhere). An excellent source of funding, if you meet the citizenship requirements.
Deadline: August
Liber Ero
To support early career researchers in conservation science. A great source of support, including a research/travel grant, but research does need to be relevant for conservation/management. Please get in touch if you are interested in applying to discuss potentially relevant subject areas.
Deadline: Announced late summer
UofS students looking to undertake an independent research project (e.g., BIOL 480/481, NSERC USRA) can find more information under the 'Teaching' tab.
For Prospective Graduate Students
For right or wrong, your GPA will be an important determinant of whether I'm able to accept you as a new graduate student. While I don't view marks as the only, or even most telling, predictor of future success in graduate school, the GPA requirements for funding at the UofS are fairly stringent (typically a GPA >80% in your last two years of schooling will be necessary to compete for funding). I place as much, or more, weight on attitude, work ethic and enthusiasm. In particular, I highly value past productive research experience (e.g., if you're a prospective Ph.D., student, have you published your M.Sc. research, or are at least in the process of it?; if you're a prospective M.Sc. student, did you do an honour's project? work on a summer field project?). On the plus side, the UofS is very welcoming to international students (international tuition rates are only slightly higher that those for Canadian students and nationality is not considered in internal scholarship competitions).
Admission requirements: (Note these should be considered minimum requirements and requirements for funding will be much higher (i.e., a minimum GPA of ~80-85% (depending on the year)).
https://www.usask.ca/cgsr/admission/index.php
Departmental deadlines:
We do not have specific application deadlines and accept applications throughout the year. However, there are some dates that you should keep in mind. We have three intake periods (Fall: September 1; Winter: January 1; Spring: May 1). You will want to ensure that your application is received a couple of months prior to your preferred intake period to ensure that it can go through all of the channels and prevent any delays in starting. Note the first step (not indicated in the previous link) is to contact ME. You will also want to be aware of various funding deadlines. I have indicated some of the big ones below.
Funding sources:
External:
NSERC (e.g. Canada Graduate Scholarships, Post Graduate Scholarships, Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships).
Most NSERC competitions are only open to Canadian citizens or permanent residents, with the Vanier being an exception. NSERC awards are very competitive, but prestigious and look fantastic on your CV. I highly recommend that, if eligible, students consider applying for these funding sources.
Deadline (to be received at NSERC): October 15 (Internal deadlines will be a few weeks before this. Get in touch if you are interested in putting in an application).
Fulbright
These awards are designed to facilitate academic exchange between Canada and the USA. American students interested in studying in Canada are encouraged to apply.
Deadline: November
More...
There are a number of scholarships available to international students interested in studying in Canada. The link above is to a search engine that will return available programs depending on your country of origin. Also look here for scholarships available at the University of Saskatchewan for students from a number of different countries.
Internal:
Dean's Scholarship
Dean's Scholarships are available to all prospective students, regardless of nationality. They represent an excellent option for students who would otherwise be competitive for NSERC, but do not meet the citizenship requirements.
Deadline: Round 1 - Late November/early December (for students seeking to begin their studies in January of the following year); Round 2 - Late February/early March (for students seeking to begin their studies in April or September of the current year).
University of Saskatchewan Graduate Awards
These scholarships and fellowships are available to all prospective students, regardless of nationality. They will involve a service requirement (typically some TAing) and are probably the most common source of funding for graduate students at the University of Saskatchewan.
Deadline: March
For Prospective Postdocs:
The long-term study systems that form the core of my research program provide ideal academic environments for post-doctoral scholars and have been home to many successful post-doctoral scholars (including me!). If you are interested in being involved with one of these projects, please get in touch. Many of the things I look for in prospective graduate students also apply to prospective post-docs, with a higher value placed on past research productivity. I, unfortunately, do not currently have funding so support a post-doc, but am very willing to work with you to put together an application to one of the agencies below.
Funding sources:
NSERC (Postdoctoral Fellowships and Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships)
Postdoctoral Fellowships are only available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, but Banting Fellowships are available to both national and international students. Both are highly prestigious. Funding has been low in recent years, so competition as been high, but I encourage all eligible prospective post-docs to apply.
Deadline (to be received at NSERC): October 15
Marie Curie
For researchers from EU member states and associated countries to undertake research in Canada (or elsewhere). An excellent source of funding, if you meet the citizenship requirements.
Deadline: August
Liber Ero
To support early career researchers in conservation science. A great source of support, including a research/travel grant, but research does need to be relevant for conservation/management. Please get in touch if you are interested in applying to discuss potentially relevant subject areas.
Deadline: Announced late summer
