- Agency
- Cal Poly Humboldt
- Location
- Arcata, CA
- Job Category
- Graduate Assistantships
- Salary
- Tuition + $17k/yr
- Start Date
- 01/01/2024
- Last Date to Apply
- 11/01/2023
- Website
- https://fisheries.humboldt.edu/
- Description
- One MS assistantship is available to support research on threatened green sturgeon in the Humboldt Bay region. During summer, sturgeon from populations to the north (Klamath and Rogue rivers) and south (Sacramento River) use habitat in the Eel and Mad River estuary and Humboldt Bay. Very little is known about green sturgeon use of these summer habitats and how climate is impacting this use. This student will study the movement and habitat use of green sturgeon in these three systems using historical data, field collection, and satellite pop‐up tags. This is a collaborative project with scientists and technicians from the Blue Lake Rancheria and Wiyot Tribe. Funding for this project is provided through a University of California Office of the President Climate Action Seed Grant; the selected student will be one of a cohort of five MS students working on marine and estuarine fisheries issues with North Coast California Tribes. Duties will include: Develop and implement sampling and tagging protocols for green sturgeon in the study area, including boat-based hook and line and direct observations in rivers via snorkeling Review and synthesize existing data and observations of green sturgeon presence and movements in the study area Summarize and analyze data on sturgeon presence/absence and telemetry data of tagged fish Be an enthusiastic ambassador of the project with collaborating organizations and the larger fishing community Participate in training and Knowledge Exchange Events with cooperators and personnel from tribes Assist Blue Lake Rancheria fisheries personnel with projects as needed Work with faculty mentors to develop a comprehensive thesis project using new and existing data. Write a thesis with the goal of publishing at least one peer-reviewed research article
- Qualifications
- B.S. in fisheries, natural resources, marine biology, biology, ecology, or related field Strong writing and communication skills Highly motivated and independent, with strong work ethic Experience working on small vessels or capturing and handling sturgeon or similar large fish Experience with deploying telemetry devices or analyzing telemetry data Ability and motivation to engage with tribal cooperators or other historically excluded communities and maintain productive working relationships We strongly encourage you to apply if you are from a marginalized or historically excluded group, particularly in fisheries biology. The selected student will enroll in the Natural Resources graduate program at Cal Poly Humboldt and work to obtain their M.S. degree within the Fisheries Biology Department. The student would ideally start on or before January 1, 2023. The student is expected to receive at least $17,000/year + tuition. The student will be advised by Darren Ward and Jose Marin Jarrin, both of whom are faculty in the Department of Fisheries Biology.
- Contact Person
- Darren Ward
- Contact eMail
- dw193@humboldt.edu
