PhD Scholarship with UWA – shallow reefs

October 1st, 2021

Now Closed

The Shallow Reefs program is offering a PhD top-up scholarship to an exceptional PhD candidate for up to three and a half years. Supervision will be by researchers from CSIRO and The University of Western Australia (UWA) School of Biological Sciences.

This scholarship will support research into aspects of the ecology of Ningaloo Reef. Focal research areas can include investigating the demographics of benthic invertebrate populations (in particular corals) using 3D seafloor imagery (photomosaics) and/or improved methods for characterizing the abundance and dynamics of target fish species in understudied habitats. The applicant will work alongside the Ningaloo Outlook shallow reefs team and have access to existing long-term datasets on fish and benthic invertebrates, as well as world-class infrastructure including well equipped ecological, genetics laboratories and stable isotope facilities.

The candidate for this project will be based at the Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre at UWA, where they will work as part of a diverse team of researchers and post-graduate students. A strong academic record, quantitative statistical skills and experience in field marine ecology will be necessary for the project. Candidates with suitable skills and experience will be favoured (e.g. quantitative ecology, diving-based fieldwork).

Prospective candidates should send a CV with two referee contacts and a cover letter, briefly outlining their motivations for pursuing PhD research and interests in this project initially via email to Michael Renton, Tim Langlois and Damian Thomson by 30th October 2021.

The successful applicant who is awarded the UWA scholarship will also receive $22,000 per annum top-up scholarship plus operating for 3 years with a possible 6 month extension.

A selection panel, including representatives from CSIRO and UWA will be formed to award the CSIRO BHP Ningaloo Outlook Marine Research Partnership PhD top-up scholarship.

For more information on applying see the UWA Scholarship portal here.

Contacts

Michael Renton (michael.renton@uwa.edu.au)

Tim Langlois (tim.langlois@uwa.edu.au)

Damian Thomson (damian.thomson@csiro.au)