Funded Master’s Student Opportunity:
Master of Marine Management (MMM), Dalhousie University

We are seeking a Master’s student to join the Master of Marine Management (MMM) program at Dalhousie University for a funded, applied research project in partnership with the Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON, Ryan Lauzon) and the FishPeoplePlace Lab (Dr. Hannah Harrison).

The project
As a student in the MMM program, the selected candidate will work on a collaborative research project focused on barriers to entry for new and young fishers seeking to participate in Saugeen Ojibway Nation’s fishery. This project is interdisciplinary and will work directly with the SON membership while also completing courses related to Indigenous fisheries management,  marine policy and management, science and technology, and other related skills in the MMM Program.

As part of the degree requirements, the student will complete a four-month internship with SON’s Fisheries Office from May – August, 2027, gaining practical experience working in an Indigenous governance and fisheries management context. Stipend funding for the position is $27,000 over the 16-month program, covering the full duration of the MMM degree (coursework, internship, and research project). Additional funds will be available for supporting fieldwork and respectful membership engagement.

The student will be expected to be an active member of the project team for the duration of their 16-month degree program. This will include (but is not limited to) participating in project meetings, building respectful relationships and liaising with partners, and contributing to or (as appropriate) leading project outputs. While the main method for this work is likely qualitative interviewing and membership engagement, other techniques and methods such as research creation, arts-based approaches, and other approaches as agreed to with SON are possible.

The program
Applicants must successfully apply to and be admitted into the Master of Marine Management (MMM) program at Dalhousie University in order to accept this position.

The Master of Marine Management (MMM) at Dalhousie is a professional, interdisciplinary degree designed to train future leaders in marine and coastal governance. The program combines coursework in policy, governance, sustainability, and management with hands-on experiential learning, including a required internship and applied research project. Graduates pursue careers across government, Indigenous organizations, NGOs, consulting, and the private sector.

How to Apply
This opportunity is especially well suited to students interested in Indigenous fisheries, marine governance, food sovereignty, and applied, policy-relevant research. Students from a wide range of academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply, including marine affairs, environmental studies, biology, environmental science, geography, Indigenous studies, and related fields. Regardless of educational background, training in the social sciences and/or qualitative research will be considered an asset.

We are looking for someone who ideally has experience in fisheries (marine or freshwater, commercial or recreational), working with Indigenous Nations or with an educational background in Indigenous knowledge, rights, or governance, and experience working directly with community groups. We also value someone who has cultural competence, strong reading and writing skills (English), is a clear communicator (written and speaking), and is able to self-motivate.

To apply, please submit a single PDF to Hannah Harrison containing:
- Unofficial transcripts
- A one-page cover letter explaining your interest in the project, the MMM program, your interest in Indigenous fisheries management, and your preparation for working respectfully with Indigenous communities and partners
- An up-to-date CV
- A recent writing sample (solo-authored)

Hiring priority will be given in the following order:
1. Indigenous applicants from the Great Lakes region
2. Indigenous applicants from other Nations or territories within Canada
3. Values-aligned applicants from any background

Note to international students: the funding provided in this position will note entirely cover international student tuition to the MMM program. Any international student applying to this position should plan to secure additional funds to cover the remaining costs of their tuition and living in Halifax.

Applications and any questions about the opportunity should be emailed to:
Dr. Hannah Harrison
hannah.harrison@dal.ca

If you require any accommodations to be able to successfully complete an application to this position, please get in touch. We are committed to an accessible hiring process.

Deadline to apply: February 20, 2026.