MSc or PhD student: Human dimensions of fisheries

Closing date: September 30, 2026

About the role

The Bernos F.I.S.H. lab at the Rubenstein Ecosystem Laboratory, University of Vermont is seeking a motivated graduate student for a funded MSc or PhD research assistantship focused on the human dimensions of fisheries in Lake Champlain. The preferred start date is January or May 2027. In this multidisciplinary lab, we study the interactions between fish, peoples, and place. Learn more about our work on our website.

The system: Lake Champlain is a large lake nested between Vermont, New York, and Quebec with five basins differing greatly in environmental conditions and fish communities. These ecological differences support a diverse fishery targeting species such as black basses, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, Lake Trout, Atlantic Salmon, Walleye, panfish, Bowfin, and more. Some fishers are highly specialized, targeting trophy-size salmonid and bass (more than 100 bass tournaments are held on the lake annually); others are more generalist, targeting diverse fish species close to urban centers. The largest urban centers on the lake’s shorelines are Burlington, Vermont, and Plattsburgh, New York—both cities are experiencing population growth and are home to an increasingly diverse community, making them a potential source of new and underrepresented participants in the fisheries. Recreational and provisional fishing, including both open water and ice fishing, is an important part of the local culture, recreation, and economy. Understanding how fishers interact with the fisheries of Lake Champlain is critical for ensuring both ecological sustainability and positive recreational experiences.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will develop an M.Sc. or Ph.D. thesis focused on one or more aspects of the fisheries of Lake Champlain. They may draw from human dimension research (surveys, interviews, web scraping, etc.) and fishery techniques (e.g., sampling, telemetry, genetics). While the research questions will be refined collaboratively, the thesis is expected to contribute to our understanding of one (or more) of the following topics:

• The “movement ecology” of fishers and fishes
• Heterogeneity in fishing behaviors, including fishing techniques, harvest rate, motivation, preferences, and decision-making
• Social and knowledge networks within fisheries systems, including patterns of connections among fishers, management agencies, community organizations, and fishery-related concepts (e.g., stocking, catch and release, commercial harvesting)

Requirements

We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and nationalities (international applicants are encouraged to apply). Candidates from a range of disciplines will be considered, including fisheries science, ecology, natural resources, human dimensions of natural resources, environmental studies, geography, sociology, anthropology, data science and network analysis, and other related disciplines. Students with interests in interdisciplinary research, quantitative and qualitative methods, modeling and simulations, stakeholder engagement, and social-ecological systems are especially encouraged to apply.

• Applicants may apply for either an MSc or PhD position.
• PhD applicants are typically expected to demonstrate a strong foundation for independent research, which many students develop through a master's degree, research experience, professional work, or other relevant experiences.