Opportunities
Interesting in joining our lab? Perspective Honours BSc, MSc, and PhD students are encouraged to email Dr. Alex Zimmer (alex.zimmer@unb.ca) or other lab members to discuss potential positions that are available, depending on funding. The Department of Biological Sciences at the University of New Brunswick Saint John is a multi-disciplinary research group with many opportunities for collaborative work. Our lab is part of the Canadian Rivers Institute, offering additional collaborative opportunities for students working in the lab.
The city of Saint John - Canada's oldest city - is a vibrant port city that is currently experiencing a rejuvenation of its historical "Uptown" which is located next to the city's port. It is also easy to escape the city, with several parks and nature reserves located within city limits or within close proximity (Rockwood Park, Irving Nature Park, national and provincial parks of the Bay of Fundy).
Current Opportunities
Check below for current fully funded positions available in our lab. If no opportunities are posted, we still encourage anyone who is interested in joining the lab to reach out by contacting Dr. Alex Zimmer via email or by the contact page on this website.
MSc Position Open at the University of New Brunswick in Saint John
The Aquatic Physiology and Toxicology Lab of Dr. Alex Zimmer at the University of New Brunswick Saint John is seeking a highly motivated MSc student interested in physiological adaptations to natural stressors. Our laboratory is interested in understanding how aquatic organisms, primarily fishes, respond to natural and anthropogenic environmental change across multiple stages of biological organization. Students with diverse interests in organismal physiology, ecotoxicology, genetics, and development are encouraged to apply.
Position – Transcriptomic Analysis of Alkaline Adaptation in Brook Stickleback
We are seeking an MSc student with an interest in bioinformatics and fish ecophysiology. In collaboration with Dr. Anne-Marie Dion-Côté (Université de Moncton), the student will analyze RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) reads that were collected as part of a larger project aimed at understanding the ecophysiology of brook stickleback (Culaea inconstans) inhabiting saline alkaline lakes in Alberta. Students will be trained in advanced bioinformatics analyses including de novo transcriptome assembly, differential gene expression, pathway enrichment, and will explore the role of transposable elements in stress responses in fishes. Previous experience in bioinformatic analyses and familiarity with fish ecophysiology are considered assets.
More information
The position will be situated in the city of Saint John, NB and students would be enrolled at UNBSJ. Please visit the Department of Biological Sciences, Zimmer Lab, and Dion-Côté Lab websites for more information.
To apply for the position, please send an email to Dr. Alex Zimmer (alex.zimmer@unb.ca) with up-to-date transcripts and CV and a short expression of interest regarding the position.
We strongly encourage applications from students who identify as members of under-represented groups and from students who are committed to increasing equity and inclusion in academic research spaces.
Graduate Students
When inquiring about positions available in the lab, please include a brief statement of your research interests and academic background, as well as a CV or resume. Prospective graduate students are encouraged to apply for NSERC graduate student scholarships.
Undergraduate Students
Prospective undergraduate students are encouraged to contact Dr. Zimmer directly, particularly if you are enrolled in one of his courses. Please be ready to describe your interests in the research conducted by the lab and have a copy of your transcripts available. Undergraduate students should also consider applying for an NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award to work in the lab over the summer months.
Postdoctoral Fellows
We are always eager to discuss research ideas with prospective Postdoctoral Fellows, however the current research funding programs in Canada generally limit our ability to fully fund PDFs in the lab. Anyone with their own funding (e.g., NSERC PDF) is encouraged to inquire about opportunities in the lab and should include a description of their research interests and how they fit within the scope of our work, as well as a copy of their CV.