Research Area

As the aquaculture industry expands there is increasing push to reduce reliance on antibiotics and other chemicals to prevent or treat impacts from pests and pathogens. Methods to stimulate the immune system with the use of feed additives, or water treatments are of great benefit to the industry. This is a unique opportunity to work on a joint project with UBC and the Fisheries and Ocean Canada (DFO), in collaboration with leading finish aquaculture industries in the province. The successful candidate will lead scientific investigations into the use of fluvic acid as a feed and bath supplement for immune stimulation in locally important fish species for aquaculture, such sablefish, chinook salmon, rainbow trout, and/or arctic char. Desired outcomes of this study are to develop specific protocols for inclusion of these health additives into practices applicable to the hatchery environment.

Responsibilities

• Capable of getting to PSEC (Pacific Science Enterprise Center) in West Vancouver
• Daily fish care
• Experimental setup
• Data collection
• Laboratory analysis
• Data management
• Statistical analysis
• Thesis and scientific publication write-up
• Eventual presentation of their results at a scientific meeting to transfer their gained knowledge to stakeholders.

Requirements

• Bachelor in Animal Science, Marine Biology, or Related Science Discipline with a minimum grade average of 70%
• For students who have not yet completed degree, there is the option to start this project as part of a Work-Learn position.

How to Apply

Please submit a current CV, a cover letter outlining your motivation for the position, and the contact details of two references to Dr. Andrea Frommel.

Additional Information

If you want more information, please contact:

Dr. Andrea Frommel at andrea.frommel@ubc.ca
Aquaculture and Climate Change Lab
Faculty of Land and Food Systems, UBC