NBAES phd opportunities

NBAES represents the third phase of a long-term multi-disciplinary, whole-ecosystem study assessing the structure and function of a large river ecosystem in relation to hydropower infrastructure (previously known as the Mactaquac Aquatic Ecosystem Study-MAES). NBAES will quantitatively assess the impacts of the implementation of catchment wide fish passage and flow management guidance and hypotheses developed in Phases 1 and 2. The geographic scope of Phase 3 will extend beyond Mactaquac dam to include the comprehensive assessment of upstream fish passage among the collective of NB Power facilities on the Wolastoq | Saint John River.

There are three PhD projects available that are fully funded opportunities, beginning in the spring of 2026. The deadline to apply is March 2nd, 2026 and the call will remain open until we have found suitable candidates. For more information, see below or contact:

Philip Harrison, Research Associate, NBAES (pharriso@unb.ca), Canadian Rivers Institute, Biology, Forestry, and Environmental Management. University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB. E3B 5A3. Tel: 506-230-0154

PhD 1. Ecology of fishes below a large hydropower dam.

Key skills: ecohydrology, environmental flows, and fish ecology.

The Canadian Rivers Institute (UNB Fredericton) is seeking candidates for an exciting applied fish ecology PhD project investigating the spatial ecology, behaviour, and habitat use of fishes found downstream of the Mactaquac dam on the Wolastoq/ Saint John River. The project which is a part of the New Brunswick Aquatic Ecosystem Study (NBAES http://canadarivers-gis.maps.arcgis.com) will focus on 1) understanding the ecology and behaviour of anadromous migrants that fail to pass the Mactaquac dam, and 2) the influence of hydropower regulated flows on spawning an habitat use on the varied fish community that occur in this large tidal river. The Wolastoq River contains 55 fish species, and the selected candidate will be working with a range of fish species including blueback herring, alewife, American shad, shortnose sturgeon, smallmouth bass and potentially others

The study will use a range of different cutting-edge acoustic and radio technologies and techniques to better understand fish behaviour in this large tidal river. Accordingly, we are seeking highly motivated candidates with strong quantitative and analytical skills (including spatial analysis and coding in R), and a demonstrated interest and ability to work with high-tech tracking technologies. Moreover, we are seeking candidates that have strong field work and interpersonal skills, and a commitment to the publication of high-quality science. Experience working with fish passage issues and fish-hydropower interactions would be considered an asset.

The project is fully funded opportunities, which will begin in the summer of 2026. The deadline to apply is March 2nd, 2026 and the call will remain open until we have found suitable candidates.

Students will be based at UNB Fredericton and will be supervised by Dr Philip Harrison. The position will involve interaction with hydropower industry (NB Power) and government scientists (DFO, MNR), and NBAES academic committee members. Prospective candidates should email the following to Philip Harrison (pharriso@unb.ca): a) a brief cover letter outlining how they meet the criteria above, b) a full academic CV, c) unofficial copies of BSc & MSc transcripts, and d) contact details for 3 references.

PhD 2. Reservoir fish ecology: understanding the spatial ecology of reservoir residents and anadromous migrants

Key skills: Behavioural ecology, trophic ecology, and movement ecology.

The Canadian Rivers Institute is seeking candidates for an exciting, applied fish ecology PhD project investigating the spatial ecology, spawning and habitat use, and passage of fishes in a hydropower reservoir. The project which is part of the New Brunswick Aquatic Ecosystem Study (NBAES http://canadarivers-gis.maps.arcgis.com) will focus on 1) the spatial ecology, tributary use, and passage through the reservoir of alosids (blueback herring, alewife, and Amercian shad) that have been released into the reservoir via an upstream fish passage program, and 2) the spatial and trophic ecology of reservoir residents piscivores including endemics (smallmouth bass and chain pickerel) and more recent invaders (muskellunge, largemouth bass).

The studies will use a range of differing technologies and techniques to investigate migration ecology and behaviour of fishes, including PIT telemetry, acoustic telemetry, and stable isotope analysis, and will benefit from our large existing St John River arrays. We are seeking highly motivated candidates with strong quantitative and analytical skills, and a proven ability to implement research projects. The successful applicant will have strong field work and interpersonal skills, and a demonstrated commitment to the publication of high-quality science. Experience working in the field of spatial or trophic ecology, hydropower interactions, or fish ecology would be considered an asset.

The project is a fully funded opportunity, which will begin in the summer of 2026. The deadline to apply is March 2nd 2026, and the call will remain open until we have found suitable candidates.

PhD 3. Cumulative fish passage: assessing the efficiency of multiple upstream passage facilities in a large hydropower fragmented catchment.

Key Skills: fish passage, ecohydraulics, and telemetry.

The Canadian Rivers Institute is seeking candidates for an exciting project assessing multispecies upstream fish passage efficiency and delay at two large hydropower facilities on the Wolastoq/Saint John River, Beechwood and Tobique Generating Stations. The project which is part of the New Brunswick Aquatic Ecosystem Study (NBAES http://canadarivers-gis.maps.arcgis.com) will provide the first assessment of upstream passage and passage potential, at these two fishways, and will aim to identify and quantify the biotic and abiotic factors that promote successful attraction and passage. Study species will include any and all species interacting with the facilities and will likely include anadromous migrants (Atlantic salmon, alewife, blueback herring), and potadromous residents (white sucker, smallmouth bass).

The study will use a range of differing telemetry technologies at various scales that will include fine-scale within fishway movements (PIT telemetry), along with broader passage through the catchment (radio & acoustic telemetry). Accordingly, we are seeking highly motivated candidates with strong quantitative, analytical, and technical skills. The successful applicant will have good field work and interpersonal abilities, and a demonstrated commitment to the publication of high-quality science. Experience working with hydropower industry, telemetry technologies or fish passage would be an asset.

The project is a fully funded opportunity, which will begin in May of 2026. The deadline to apply is March 2nd 2026 and the call will remain open until we have found suitable candidates.