Job Title: MSc. Position in Fish Physiology and Toxicology
Location: Vancouver
Job Type: Graduate Student
Description: MSc. Position in Fish Physiology and Toxicology at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver
Start dates September 2025 or January or 2026
We are looking for a highly motivated Masters student to work at the interface of basic and applied science in a project funded by the NSERC Alliance Program entitled:
“The Impact of Road Salt on Pacific Salmon Success”.
The opportunity: Pacific salmon populations are in precipitous decline, which may in part be caused by degradation of spawning and early rearing habitats in streams. One factor that may impact the success of salmon during development and early life is the contamination of freshwater streams by road salt. Working with local community groups, the Streamkeepers, we have documented the extent of road salt contamination in streams across the Lower Mainland of BC and have shown that streams regularly experience pulses of road salt that far exceed provincial and national guidelines. Further, we have shown that many species of Pacific salmon are vulnerable to this contamination during development, particularly during the first 24h after fertilization.
We seek to hire a Masters student to be based at UBC who will conduct research to better understand the physiological and biochemical mechanisms that make road salt so toxic at this particular developmental stage. This work could involve biomechanical testing of egg “hardness”, evaluation of embryo structures, as well as using calcium imaging on developing embryos to test the hypothesis that road salt disrupts key mechanisms that are regulated by calcium. The student will be co-supervised by Drs. Chris Wood, Trish Schulte, and Colin Brauner.
Students will gain experience in a variety of tools and techniques relevant to conservation physiology and toxicology. They will be part of a large and diverse interdisciplinary team that will provide the opportunity for networking and development of communication skills with government, NGOs such as volunteer Streamkeeper groups, and other stakeholders. There will also be opportunities to participate in stream monitoring and outreach activities.
Qualifications: Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications for graduate admission to the Department of Zoology at UBC. Successful applicants will have excellent practical and communication skills and an interest in community engagement, as they will be working closely with volunteer Streamkeeper groups in the Vancouver area and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
To apply: We will perform an initial screening of applicants prior to an official application to the respective graduate school. To be considered, please send a statement of interest, a c.v. listing two possible referees, and an academic transcript to: Dr. Trish Schulte, pschulte@zoology.ubc.ca
We are looking to build a supportive and inclusive team, and we encourage applications from students of all backgrounds. We especially welcome applications from members of under- represented groups including women, Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, and others with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. Preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
Application Email Address: pschulte@zoology.ubc.ca
Company Name: University of British Columbia
Application Close Date: January 2026