Current Employment Opportunities

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Current Employment and Student Opportunities

This page lists current employment opportunities for ecologists and student ressearch opportunities that may interest our members. These positions are not with ESA but with organisations within Australia and surrounding regions that have notified us of current vacancies.

If you are interested in any of the below positions then you should contact the organisation directly.

If you would like to advertise a position here please contact our Executive Officer, Gail Spina, email: executiveofficer@ecolsoc.org.au.

AWC Ecology and Conservation Internships

Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) is an independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to the conservation of Australia’s threatened wildlife and their habitats. Funded primarily by tax-deductible donations, AWC is taking action to protect Australia’s wildlife by:
• Establishing a network of sanctuaries that protect threatened wildlife and ecosystems;
• Implementing practical, on-ground conservation programs to protect the wildlife at our
sanctuaries: these programs include feral animal control, fire management, and the
translocation of threatened species;
• Conducting scientific research that helps address the key threats to our native wildlife; and
• Hosting visitor programs at our sanctuaries for educating the public and promoting awareness of the plight of Australia’s wildlife.

Through its internship program, AWC offers opportunities for promising graduate students to gain valuable training and field experience in real-world conservation initiatives. The AWC supports two internships a year, awarded on a competitive basis, and each lasting six months.

The internships represent an exciting training program that introduces budding conservation biologists to a variety of sanctuaries and a broad range of conservation issues. They are unique in being predominantly fieldbased, providing interns with experience in a diversity of flora, fauna, field techniques, and monitoring methods. Interns will also gain experience working as part of a team in remote and often challenging conditions. One internship is based in the Southeast region, and the other in the Northwest region; both provide a modest living stipend for the duration of the program.

• The Southeast Intern will spend six months spread between Scotia, Kalamurina, Buckaringa and Yookamurra Sanctuaries.
• The Northwest Intern will spend six months spread between Newhaven, Mornington and Wongalara Sanctuaries.

The AWC Field Ecology Intern Program will:
• Expose Interns to a diversity of flora and fauna across a broad range of Australia’s ecosystems (e.g. arid zone, the mallee, the tropics).
• Provide the Intern with training in a wide variety of field techniques including:
o a range of survey and trapping techniques,
o capture and handling of many different types of animals,
o specialist skills such as blood sampling and radio-tracking,
o animal husbandry ,
o plant collection and herbarium preparation, and
o vegetation surveys

The Interns will be supervised by several experienced AWC ecologists.

Specific enquiries can be directed to: Matt Hayward (Southeast) Matt@australianwildlife.org 03 5024 5859 or
Ben Phillips (Northwest) Ben.Phillips@australianwildlife.org 08 9191 4619

Application deadlines are:

• 30 April 2010 for the Southeast Internship, and
• 15 February 2010 for the Northwest Internship

More:

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Research Scientist

Primary Objective

To undertake and coordinate research on developing landscape metrics and monitoring for biodiversity conservation in the Daly region.

Key Responsibilities

Undertake research to develop landscape metrics and monitoring protocols associated with land clearing impacts and biodiversity conservation in the Daly region.
Undertake field research and supervise others in the field.
Undertake statistical and spatial analyses of the biodiversity data.
Write scientific reports and journal articles.
Collaborate with other Northern Territory Government staff working on land clearing regulations and monitoring.
Engage with landholder and other stakeholder groups.

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Scientist

Biodiversity North

Primary Objective

To contribute to biodiversity monitoring and land clearing impact studies in the Daly region.

Key Responsibilities

Undertake botanical surveys related to the impact of land clearing on biodiversity in the Daly region.
Maintain databases containing ecological data.
Assist in the statistical and spatial analyses of the biodiversity data.
Assist in preparing scientific reports and journal articles.
Engage with landholder and other stakeholder groups.

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Geographic Information System Officer

Biodiversity North

Primary Objective

To provide Geographic Information System (GIS) support to developing landscape metrics and monitoring for biodiversity conservation in the Daly region.

Key Responsibilities

Undertake research to develop landscape metrics and monitoring protocols associated with land clearing impacts and biodiversity conservation in the Daly region.
Undertake statistical and spatial analyses of the biodiversity data.
Collaborate with other Northern Territory Government staff working on land clearing regulations and monitoring.
Engage with landholder and other stakeholder groups.

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Two PhD Scholarships in Forest Modelling

Two full-time PhD scholarships are available in the Forests and Climate Change Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.

(1) Elevated CO2 Impacts on Vegetation: from Experiments to Models (ref 2010092)

This project aims to bridge the gap between experiments and models of the impacts of rising atmospheric CO2 concentration on vegetation. Working with data from leading experiments on CO2 enrichment worldwide, the student will learn and apply cutting-edge data synthesis techniques to help develop a new generation of evidence-based ecosystem models that incorporate the best experimental understanding of CO2 effects on vegetation.

(2) Forest Ecosystem Water Use: Does Species Diversity Matter? (ref LP0992238

This project will investigate how biodiversity of forest ecosystems affects their water use and susceptibility to drought. Using data from experimental forest regeneration plantings in western Sydney, this PhD student will develop mathematical models linking plant species traits to forest stand water use and productivity.

These projects would suit either a graduate in biology or ecology with strong quantitative skills, or a graduate in mathematics, statistics, computing, or physics with an interest in plant ecology. Applicants should have a strong academic record with Honours (First Class) or equivalent.

Further information on these scholarships is available at http://www.hdr.mq.edu.au/information_about/scholarships

Prospective applicants should contact the PI, Dr Belinda Medlyn, with details of relevant experience, a CV and an academic transcript. Email: bmedlyn(at)bio.mq.edu.au, telephone: +61 (0)2 9850 8897.

Closing date for applications: 28 February 2010.

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APAI PhD Scholarship:

Management of Coastal Lakes to Minimise Invasion

Based in the Coastal Ecology Group, Department of Biological Sciences and Climate Risk CORE, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.

A PhD student is sought to contribute to an Australian Research Council Linkage project investigating how the morphology of estuaries influences their susceptibility to invasion by European shore crabs. The European shore crab has the potential to undermine the productivity of Australia’s estuaries and devastate our shellfish industries, worth over $50 million p.a.

The successful applicant will use a combination of field surveys, mesocosm experiments, field manipulative experiments and genetic studies to provide critical information about how management of coastal lakes influences their invasion by European shore crabs. The student will attain experience in a range of aspects of experimental estuarine ecology as well as gain valuable interdisciplinary skills. The student will work closely with industry partners, Batemans Marine Park, NSW Industry and Investment, the Southern Rivers Catchment Management Authority and the Sapphire Coast Marine Discovery Centre.

Applicants should have a strong academic record with Honours (First Class) or equivalent in a relevant discipline such as ecology, invertebrate biology or marine science. They must be able to work within a team and should have high level written and oral communication skills. Experience in designing, conducting and analysing multi-factor ecological field experiments is desirable. A current drivers license and experience in handling small boats would be advantageous.

The candidate should be available to commence no later than 31 March 2010. Prospective applicants should, in the first instance, submit a cover letter addressing the essential and desirable criteria, a CV that includes contact details for two referees, and an academic transcript to the principal supervisor: Dr Melanie Bishop, email: mbishop@bio.mq.edu.au, telephone: +61 2 9850 4075. The 2010 APAI full-time stipend rate is $27,222 pa, tax exempt. The stipend is indexed to increase each year and is initially available for 3 years.

Application close: Friday 10th February, 2010

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POST-GRADUATE RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY

“Increasing the understanding of the breeding and feeding ecology of the Manumea (Didunculus strigirostris) and the Ma’oma’o (Gymnomyza samoensis) in Samoa to aid species recovery.”

David Butler Associates, based in Nelson, New Zealand has received funding from the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) through Conservation International’s Pacific Islands Programme for a 3-year project to undertake research on two of Samoa’s most threatened bird species. The Government of Samoa developed recovery plans for these species in 2006 and the research is directly aimed at plan objectives to find out vital information needed to design programmes for their recovery.

We initially offer one PhD scholarship to start in 2010and request Expressions of Interest from students. There should be opportunities for shorter-term MSc research once the project is up and running (late 2010 or 2011) and we also invite students to also begin correspondence on this.

The project can provide an annual scholarship of NZ$27,000 for 3 years together with 3 return economy flights from New Zealand. There is a significant budget available for equipment based on the provision of high mist-net rigs, radio transmitters to place on birds, and remote cameras to photograph nests. Vehicle support will also be provided.

The student will also receive support and mentoring from the project manager, Dr David Butler who spent 3 years in Samoa as its national Biodiversity Adviser in the mid-1990’s and has worked on several conservation projects since, and from a project advisor Dr Ralph Powlesland, a Department of Conservation scientist with many years experience of research on birds. Several conservation professionals in Samoa are also expected to provide local support. The student is expected to have a University supervisor with interest and experience in this or a related research area. Dr Ulf Beichle, Germany, will also be involved in research on the Manumea.

Please send your expression of interest (EoI) together with an updated CV to David Butler at d.butler@xtra.co.nz or 588, Brook Street, Nelson, NZ. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you would like further information before completing your EoI.

Applications close 19 February 2010.

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PhD Scholarship

Australian Research Council - Australian Postgraduate Award (Industry)

Impacts of deforestation and afforestation on greenhouse gas emissions, and carbon and water resources in north Australian savanna

An exciting research program aimed at understanding the implications of land use change upon the greenhouse gas balance and water resources of tropical savannas in northern Australia has been funded by the Australia Research Council’s Linkage program. We are looking for a suitable candidate to undertake key elements of this research program as part of an Australian Postgraduate Award.

Over the last decade, north Australia have been viewed as a potentially exploitable resource, given issues of salinisation, soil acidification, over-allocation of water resources and rainfall declines in south Australian agricultural regions. Improved pastures and plantation forestry are two land uses that may expand in the NT. Clearing of savanna vegetation would be required, with implications for greenhouse gas emissions, soil health, water resources and dry season environmental flows. This project will track greenhouse emissions and water use from uncleared and cleared savanna that has been converted to pasture and timber plantations, providing critical understanding of the environmental implication of such land use change in savanna.

This ARC Linkage grant (2010–2012) is administered by Assoc. Prof. Lindsay Hutley of Charles Darwin University (CDU) in the Northern Territory, but also involves Assoc. Prof. Jason Beringer (Monash University), Assoc. Prof. Stefan Arndt (University of Melbourne), Dr Stephen Livesley (University of Melbourne ) and Dr Guy Boggs (CDU). The program has strong industry relevance with the Commonwealth Government Department of Climate Change, the Northern Territory Government NT Department of Business and Employment, NT Department of Natural Resources Environment, the Arts and Sport, NT Department of Regional Development, Primary Industries, Fisheries and Resources all contributing to the project.

Two elements of the wider ARC project are available as research topics for the APAI candidate depending upon student background and interest.

? Project 1 will examine CO2 and non-CO2 trace gas fluxes as a function of afforestation and deforestation.

? Project 2 will examining differences in stand water use of savanna and exotic plantation timber species.

Modelling of greenhouse gas exchange or tree water use can be incorporated depending on student skills and interests. The PhD project will be supervised by appropriate members of the research team.

The scholarship is available through any of the partner Universities (CDU, Monash and Melbourne), however, the successful candidate will be expected to undertake extended periods of field research within the NT.

For further project and application information, please contact Lindsay Hutley, email lindsay.hutley@cdu.edu.au

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NCCARF Visiting Fellowships

The National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility (NCCARF) invites applications from within Australia and internationally, for up to three visiting research fellowships in 2010. These should be in the general area of climate change adaptation and should take into account the research interests of NCCARF (see www.nccarf.edu.au<http://www.nccarf.edu.au>) and the specific requirements of Australia in the area of climate change adaptation, for example water resource management and coastal management in areas of rapid urban growth.

NCCARF was established in 2008 by the Australian Government and is hosted by Griffith University. Its role is to lead the Australian research community in a national inter-disciplinary effort to generate the biophysical, social and economic information needed by decision makers in government and in vulnerable sectors and communities to manage the risks of climate change impacts. Its main activities include eight national Adaptation Research Networks, identification of national research priorities through a series of Adaptation Research Plans, and programs of thematic and synthesising research.

Successful applicants for the Visiting Fellowships should:

* Be active researchers in the area of climate change adaptation with a recent peer-reviewed publication record;
* Normally take up residence for between 2 and 6 months at Griffith University Gold Coast campus, Queensland;
* Be willing to interact with Australian researchers with a view to developing longer-term linkages, and including undertaking a program of visits to other (Australia-wide) institutions in the NCCARF consortium.
* Have a clear identified research topic to be addressed during the period of residence, which will lead to at least one peer-reviewed publication.
* Be prepared to make science input to the program of synthesis and integrative research currently being undertaken by NCCARF.
These positions are suitable for researchers and decision-makers seeking a stimulating environment for a sabbatical, and the opportunity to participate in adaptation activities at the science-policy interface.

Further information can be obtained from the NCCARF webpage: www.nccarf.edu.au<http://www.nccarf.edu.au>.

Potential applicants are encouraged in the first instance to contact the NCCARF Director, Professor Jean Palutikof at j.palutikof@griffith.edu.au , +61 (0)7 5552 7333. Final applications should be sent to Jenny Watson at j.watson@griffith.edu.au<mailto:j.watson@griffith.edu.au>, +61 (0)7 5552 7239

Applications close: 19 February, 2010.

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PhD Scholarship

Based in the Coastal Ecology Group, Department of Biological Sciences and Climate Risk CORE, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.

More than mud: how will disruption of soft-sediments threaten coastal biodiversity? (ref 2010090)

A PhD student is sought to contribute to an Australian Research Council funded project investigating how climate change and human activity are acting upon the total supply and mix of detrital resources that fuel bottom-dwelling organisms and the productive fisheries that they support. They will use large-scale field experiments to determine how disturbance of estuarine ecosystems influences detrital pathways of nutrition. The results they generate will be used to forecast future impacts of changed detrital resources under different management scenarios. Outcomes of this research will help prevent economic and ecological losses caused by eutrophication of Australia's estuaries.

Applicants should have a strong academic record with Honours (First Class) or equivalent in a relevant discipline such as ecology, invertebrate biology or marine science. They must be able to work within a team and should have high level written and oral communication skills. Experience in designing and analysing multi-factor ecological field experiments is desirable, as is experience and interest in the taxonomy of marine and estuarine invertebrates. Domestic and international applicants will be considered.

Prospective applicants should, in the first instance, submit a cover letter detailing relevant experience, a CV and an academic transcript to the principal supervisor: Dr Melanie Bishop, email: mbishop@bio.mq.edu.au, telephone: +61 2 9850 4075.

The 2010 MQRES full-time stipend rate is $22,500 pa tax exempt for 3.5 years.

Application forms and conditions of award are available at Scholarship Forms and Conditions. The completed application and associated referee reports are to be sent to the Higher Degree Research Office. Macquarie University will advise the successful applicants of entitlements at the time of scholarship offer.

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Assistant Professor, Rangeland Ecology and Management

The Department of Wildland Resources (http://www.cnr.usu.edu/wild/) is seeking to fill an
Assistant Professor position. This is a tenure-track, 9-month research and teaching position on
the campus of Utah State University, beginning 1 July 2010. We seek applicants with applied
and theoretical expertise in the behavior, ecology, and management of large herbivores in
rangeland ecosystems and an interest in adapting traditional production systems to address
contemporary ecological, economic and political challenges in the Intermountain West. We
prefer a person with the interest and ability to conduct field research in rangelands that include
public lands and private ranches. Potential areas of research include, but are not limited to:
foraging behavior of ungulates; nutritional ecology and/or toxicology; range animal production;
herbivore-habitat relationships; rangeland dynamics in response to herbivory; and management of multiple ecosystem services from rangelands. The ideal candidate should complement current strengths at USU in rangeland ecology and management.
The Wildland Resources Department is one of three departments in the College of Natural
Resources; others are the Watershed Sciences Department and the Environment and Society
Department. We offer B.S. degrees in Conservation and Restoration Ecology; Forestry;
Rangeland Resources; and Wildlife Sciences. We also offer M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Forestry; Range Science; Wildlife Biology; and Ecology. The Utah Agricultural Experiment Station promotes and coordinates research and graduate education in a wide array of disciplines related to agriculture and rural life, and has participating faculty and students in the Colleges of Natural Resources, Science, and Agriculture. The Department also has linkages to the Ecology Center, Natural Resource and Environmental Policy Program, USGS Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, USDA National Wildlife Research Center, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Forest Service research labs, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, and other units on and off campus. Research and teaching sites near campus include a wide range of terrestrial biomes, ranging from desert to quaking aspen and sub-alpine coniferous forest ecosystems.

Application open until filled

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Team Leader, Invasive Species

Bureau of Rural Sciences

Non-ongoing (3 years)

Environment

The Bureau of Rural Sciences (BRS) is the scientific bureau of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. At the interface between science and policy, BRS is an essential part of the Government’s capacity for integrated evidence-based policy development. The BRS mission is to deliver effective, timely, policy-relevant scientific advice, assessments and tools for decision-making to promote more sustainable, competitive and profitable Australian agricultural, food, fisheries and forestry industries.

The Job

Individually or as a member of a team, carry out a range of research, project and program management functions including:

Undertake scientific research projects and quantitative analysis relating to invasive species management.

Provide the Department, other BRS programs and other relevant organisations with authoritative scientific advice on invasive species.

Prepare reports, papers and oral presentations to support evidence-based policy.

Liaise with stakeholders in other BRS programs, and with Commonwealth, State and non-Government organisations pursuant to the above duties, and represent the Bureau and the Department at meetings and workshops.

Manage project resources including staff and finances.

Administer the Australian Pest Animal Management Program – a pest animal research grants program.

We are looking for a person with strong technical skills who can write clear and concise reports for technical and non-technical audiences. The person will also need to demonstrate sound coordination and administration skills associated with project and program management.

Contact

For more information about the position please contact Quentin Hart on 02 6272 3801.

More

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Quantitative Scientist

Non-ongoing

The Job

Individually or as a member of a team, carry out a range of research functions including:

Undertake scientific research projects and quantitative analysis relating to agricultural, food, fisheries and forest industries and natural resource management.

Provide the Department, other BRS programs and other relevant organisations with authoritative scientific advice.

Prepare reports, papers and oral presentations to support evidence-based policy.

Manage project resources including staff and finances.

We are looking for a person with strong quantitative skills who can perform statistical data analysis, formulate mathematical or computer models, and rite clear and concise reports.

Qualifications/Special requirements

Applicants should hold a science degree with qualifications or relevant experience in statistics, mathematics and/or computer programming. Experience in fisheries stock assessment and/or biosecurity risk analysis is highly desirable.

Contact

For more information about the position please contact Jean Chesson on 02 6272 5893.

More

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Social Scientist

DAFF Band 2 Work Level 6

36 months non-ongoing

The BRS is the scientific bureau within DAFF. ABARE is the economic bureau within DAFF. At the interface between science and economics, the Integrated Research Branch of ABARE-BRS is an essential part of the government's capacity for integrated evidence-based policy development. Both bureaux provide advice to government in support of more profitable, competitive and sustainable Australian agricultural, food, fisheries and forestry industries and work to enhance the natural resource base to achieve greater national wealth and stronger rural and regional communities.

Social Sciences and Policy (SSP) is a recognised centre of research and policy expertise into rural industries, people and communities in Australia. SSP provides DAFF with a capability not available to most other agencies. We focus on priority policy and program directions of the Department, including:

social adaptation to climate change and drought
institutional analysis and adaptation to changes in water access for agriculture
social aspects of biosecurity in agriculture
social inclusion issues for rural people and communities.

The job

We are looking for a Social Scientist specialising in quantitative research methods to join our highly talented team of researchers delivering quality social science to underpin evidence-based policy. You will be working in a team environment and will be responsible for implementing social research projects related to agriculture, fisheries, forestry and natural resource management. Duties include:

Individually or as a member of a team, contribute to a range of research functions including:

designing and conducting research relating to social, cultural and human dimensions of agricultural industries and communities, and natural resource management.
examining the broader social, cultural and institutional dimensions of change (e.g. policy, market, technological, demographic, climate) in rural Australia.
preparing reports, papers and oral presentations to support evidence-based policy
Manage project resources including staff and finances and undertake other tasks as required.
Liaise with stakeholders in other areas of BRS, ABARE and with Commonwealth, State and non-Government organisations pursuant to the above duties, and represent the Bureaux and the Department at meetings and workshops as required.
Initiate and assist with the development of research proposals and tenders for consultancies.

Successful candidates will possess excellent track records of publication and research in the social sciences and be keen to develop their skills and career within an interdisciplinary research setting.

Contact

Anna Carr on 6272 4929 or Anna.Carr@brs.gov.au

More

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Casual Lecturer/s

School of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong

We are seeking a casual lecturer/s for 2010 to contribute in the following areas: 2nd year general aquatic biology (form and function of aquatic organisms), 3rd year demography and conservation biology, 3rd year fisheries and aquaculture. We have up to 0.7 of a full-time salary (Lecturer level B) to cover this teaching, which could be undertaken by a single individual, or split between multiple individuals, depending on their range of expertise.

You should have completed your PhD, or be near completion and have teaching experience. Potential applicants will be asked to give a brief seminar on their research to other academics in the school, during the first week of December. The seminar should be pitched at the level of a 3rd year undergraduate student.

If you are interested, please contact Mark Dowton (mdowton@uow.edu.au) by return email.

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CSIRO Flagship PhD Scholarship 2009

Mainstreaming climate adaptation into conservation management and planning

Mainstreaming is the practice of developing adaptation solutions from the perspectives of biodiversity managers. It is distinguished by being strongly participatory, starting with managers’ current objectives and “core business” (e.g. multiple biodiversity values and managing existing threats), exploring the multiple implications of climate change for them, then assessing management strategies and information needs. It involves partnership with managers to build their capacity to modify their management plans and practice to accommodate possible climate impacts. It contrasts with approaches to developing adaptation solutions that are developed largely in isolation from managers’ operating contexts or those driven by particular climate impacts. The approach seeks to address various institutional needs of managers and their agencies as well as the “new realities” of climate change. It is potentially applicable to all management scales, from national and state policy, through local governments, CMA and NGOs, to land managers.

We are interested in scientific enquiry of all aspects to the mainstreaming process, including: understanding barriers to adaptation; how managers use information about climate impacts and incorporate this into planning; understanding how managers can best address uncertainty; actually developing solutions in a management context; testing the extent to which these solutions are both effective and likely to be implemented. While ecological knowledge is a critical component of adaptation, we are primarily interested in the human dimension of adaptation in this call.

Contact: Dr Michael Dunlop - 02 6242 1715
Flagship Postgraduate Scholarships
For full information see the flagship guidelines at: www.csiro.au/resources/Flagship-postgradscholarship-guidelines.html

The Flagships offer full and top-up Flagship Postgraduate Scholarships to high quality students who are enrolled in a PhD at an Australian university, and who will be working on a project which is directly relevant to a Flagship. Top-up scholarships will be the norm. Valued at A$7 000 per annum, they are available to PhD students who have gained (or expect to gain) an Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) or equivalent scholarship. Flagship Postgraduate Scholarships are available to students who are enrolled in a PhD at an Australian university.

In some circumstances full scholarships will be available. These offer a stipend of the equivalent of an APA plus CSIRO's top-up amount of A$7 000 per annum for three years.

Apply: https://recruitment.csiro.au/asp/Job_Details.asp?RefNo=2009%2F595

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The University of Adelaide - Logo

PhD Scholarship - Macropods and Climate Change

An opportunity exists for a suitably qualified PhD student. The project is to establish the population level determinants of range limits in M. antilopinus (antilopine wallaroo) in order to better forecast range contraction or expansion under climate and land use change. Generalities from this research could then be tested using other macropod species.

The project is fully funded by the ARC as part of a larger project being run by Damien Fordham and Barry Brook from the University of Adelaide (see synopsis below).

Project Synopsis:

Distributional range margins, for the majority of species, end at seemingly arbitrary boundaries. We will: (i) develop a generalised demographic framework to characterise the dynamics of the edge of the range, in terms of species' changing vital rates across gradients and by examining combinations of extrinsic factors thought to limit geographic extent; (ii) use a systems approach to determine the interplay between vital rates at the edge of the range under scenarios of future climate and environmental change; and(iii) incorporate this new information into spatially explicit metapopulation models. By adding more realistic structural information on range margin dynamics, this method should improve predictions of species' distributional shifts and persistence under global change. The methods will exploit advanced statistical and computational approaches and on-ground monitoring for model verification, to integrate multiple lines of information on the drivers of environmental and biodiversity change. The results will also provide generalisations on how geographic range size and structure change through time in response to global change and deliver a new toolbox for exploring trade-offs inherent in conservation planning.

The student involved would need to apply for an APA in the coming round. The project will involve extensive field work in Northern Australia and good skills in GIS and statistics would be advantageous. The student will be co-supervised by Damien Fordham, Barry Brook, Chris Johnson (J.C.U.) and Euan Ritchie (J.C.U.), and the work will be based out of both the University of Adelaide and James Cook University (Townsville). Ideally, the student would spend the first two years in Townsville conducting field work and the final analysis and writing up year in Adelaide.

Could interested potential students contact Damien damien.fordham@adelaide.edu.au and Euan euan.ritchie@jcu.edu.au with a cv as soon as possible, as the project is set to begin in 2010. Please feel free to forward this message to any interested people.

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PhD scholarship - Carbon cycling of revegetated agricultural landscapes under a dry climate

Monash University, AU$ 26,669 p.a., 3 years full-time

South-eastern Australia is predicted to be substantially drier in the coming decades, potentially driving extensive land-use change in agricultural landscapes. As traditional agricultural practices become less viable, growing trees for carbon storage, water quality and biodiversity benefits will become increasingly common. An opportunity exists at the Australian Centre for Biodiversity, Monash University for a PhD candidate to undertake novel interdisciplinary studies on specific aspects of these complex biological systems.

The project investigates how revegetation and a dry climate will affect carbon cycling through a novel combination of field surveys, long-term flux observations, in situ manipulations, controlled environment experiments and laboratory analyses. The PhD is part of a broader Australian Research Council-funded Linkage project to understand how extensive revegetation will affect carbon storage, water yields and biodiversity of catchments (www.biolsci.monash.edu.au/research/acb/carbon). It brings together a research team with expertise in micrometeorology, forest ecology, soil processes, terrestrial ecology, landscape modelling, freshwater ecology and landscape economics.

We are seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic student with a strong interest in ecosystem ecology, particularly the role of soils, and experience in agricultural science, plant ecology/physiology, micrometeorology, chemistry or similar area. Experience with fieldwork, chemical analyses and /or modelling would be an advantage.

The full-time position will start in early 2010 and be based at Monash University with fieldwork in the Goulburn-Broken Catchment, Victoria.

More information

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PhD or M Phil Positions in Biodiversity

A/Prof W Sherwin Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, BEES, UNSW, Sydney AUSTRALIA. http://www.bees.unsw.edu.au/school/staff/sherwin/sherwinresearch.html

The projects centre on making forecasts for management of biodiversity.

They are involved with developing new theory, testing on real data, and fieldwork.

Project 1: Forecasting demography of bottlenose dolphins With partners from Murdoch University we are studying ecology, threats, and genetics of Bunbury (WA) bottlenose dolphins. The PhD student at UNSW will use these data in existing or novel programs, to evaluate population viability with different management and threats. There would be field-trips to Bunbury.

Project 2: Forecasting and managing biodiversity. We have used information theory to produce new biodiversity theory, (Molecular Ecology 15:2857). The PhD would apply this theory to a wide range of existing datasets in genetic and community biodiversity, using data from koalas, dolphins, flies, trees and various other species. The student would also be encouraged to further develop this theory in response to findings from the data analysis.

Project 3: Resilience of small populations to periods of selection A consortium of athematicians and biologists at UNSW has produced new theory about the way that small endangered populations might rapidly recover their responsiveness to selection. This PhD position will follow up this theoretical work by carrying out experiments in model populations of flies. The project involves laboratory work. There could be an additional stipend supplement for this project.

Project 4: Conservation of Little Penguins in New South Wales: With Dr J Sinclair. To assess the viability of an endangered population of Little Penguins in Sydney Harbour under a range of threats and management strategies. The PhD student would conduct a molecular genetic and demographic analysis on NSW penguin populations, to input into a population forecasting model. The project involves some fieldwork and molecular laboratory work. There could be an additional stipend supplement for this project.

Contact: Associate Professor WB Sherwin email: w.sherwin@unsw.edu.au

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PhD Opportunities - Climate change and plant community resilience: Granite outcrops as refugial habitats

We are seeking highly motivated PhD students wishing to develop skills to make a difference in biodiversity conservation in a world threatened by climate change. Students will work with a dynamic and highly collaborative international research team examining the impacts of climate change on plant communities, and can be enrolled at Curtin University or the University of WA in Perth, Western Australia.
This integrated study is focused on climate change impacts, evolutionary scale dynamics, and assessment of granite outcrops as potential refugial habitats for conservation in the Australian Global Biodiversity Hotspot in the face of anthropogenic climate change.
We seek to develop conservation strategies for outcrop and surrounding flora; examine the evidence for reservoirs of genetic diversity; determine the mechanisms enabling the persistence of species and ecological communities; and examine species and community resilience to change.

This study is led by A/Prof Grant Wardell-Johnson (Curtin University of Technology) and A/Prof Kimberly Van Niel (University of Western Australia) and encompasses a team of academics and researchers from Curtin University (Prof Ladislav Mucina, Dr Tom Schut and Postdoctoral Fellow to be appointed), the WA Dept. of Environment and Conservation (Dr Colin Yates and Dr Margaret Byrne), the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Prof Stephen Hopper), Trent University (Prof Steven Franklin) and the GIS/Remote sensing company AAMHatch (Mr Chris Earls).

More information

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