[Home]

[Research]

[Publications]

[Writing & Photo]

[Around the world]

[Contact] 

[Join the lab]

[Search] 

[Back to OSC] 

 © 2006-2011  Mercier-Hamelast updated:

Oopportunities for undergraduate and graduate students (Honours, MSc and PhD) are periodically available in my lab. I am looking for highly motivated individuals with a passion for marine ecology. I will certainly encourage those who so wish it to develop their own ideas/approaches, provided they fall within the scope of my research program. Research projects in the following areas may be available:

1. Ecology of deep-sea invertebrates. This project may involve the study of various groups (corals, and other cnidarians, echinoderms, molluscs, etc.) that we can collect (preserved and live specimens) from bathyal depths (down to ca. 2000 m) in the Grand Banks and Labrador regions. The focus is on reproductive ecology (including spawning and larval development), feeding habits, prey-predator interactions and symbioses. Students should be prepared to take part in sea-going expeditions and have a desire to work with poorly known species.

2. Breeding strategies of echinoderms (sea stars, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, etc.). Topics to be addressed may include: 1) the role of inter-individual and inter-population interactions in the reproductive success of benthic invertebrates (i.e. chemical communication); 2) the mode of action of chemical signals (i.e. how they are transmitted and translocated into energy processes related to the regulation of gametogenesis and spawning); 3) the synergism between chemical ecology and environmental factors in the reproductive processes. Students should be interested in the design of experimental trials aimed at answering ecological questions, histology/microscopy techniques, image analysis, fractionation and chemical analysis of bioactive substances, field monitoring of breeding populations.

Interested candidates should send me an outline of their research interests, a CV and a copy of unofficial transcripts by email. The Memorial University Web site can be consulted for questions pertaining to the programs offered, requirements, tuition fees, scholarships/fellowships and application procedures.