The University of Adelaide is offering two exciting PhD scholarship opportunities for researchers passionate about biodiversity conservation and environmental genomics. These positions are part of a recently funded Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Project aimed at preventing extinctions of Australia's threatened mammals through innovative DNA research.
About the Scholarships
The successful candidates will work alongside senior scientists, postdoctoral researchers, and conservation practitioners on groundbreaking research using ancient DNA extracted from sediment and bulk-bone deposits. The project aims to reconstruct historical distributions and habitats of Australian threatened mammals at geographic scales and spatial resolutions needed for evidence-based ecological restoration.
Two distinct positions are available:
Position 1: Establishing past mammals and their habitats using sedimentary DNA
Position 2: Quantifying losses of mammals at key conservation areas using bulk bone metabarcoding
Scholarship Benefits
Each scholarship offers:
Duration of up to 3.5 years
Annual stipend of $34,210 (2024 rate, indexed annually)
Likely tax exemption, subject to Taxation Office approval
Opportunity to work with a diverse and highly skilled research team
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must be acceptable as candidates for a Doctor of Philosophy degree at the University of Adelaide and able to commence as soon as possible in semester 1, 2025. The scholarships are open to:
Australian Citizens
Australian Permanent Residents
New Zealand Citizens
Permanent Humanitarian Visa Holders
International Students
Required Qualifications and Skills
Successful candidates should have:
First Class Honours or Master degree in genomics, population or conservation genetics, or bioinformatics
A strong interest in biodiversity conservation, paleoecology and/or community ecology
DNA laboratory experience and competency in statistical analysis
Excellent time and data management and interpersonal skills
Evidence of well-developed verbal and written communication skills
Desirable Characteristics
The following qualities are considered advantageous:
Publication record in peer-reviewed journals
Experience with ancient and/or environmental DNA
Familiarity with metabarcoding data and its analysis
Knowledge of advanced statistical languages such as R, Python, or Matlab
Familiarity with field-based data collection
How to Apply
Interested candidates should email their expression of interest to damien.fordham@adelaide.edu.au. Your application should include:
Your résumé/Curriculum Vitae and copies of any published papers
A response addressing the selection criteria
Your residency status
Names, addresses, and/or email details of two referees
Applications open on September 3, 2024, and will remain open until the positions are filled.
Contact Information
For further inquiries about these scholarship opportunities, please contact:
Associate Professor Damien Fordham
School of Biological Sciences
Tel: (08) 8313 6711
Email: damien.fordham@adelaide.edu.au
Dr. Jamie Wood
School of Biological Sciences
Tel: (08) 8313 3952
Email: jamie.wood@adelaide.edu.au
This is an exceptional opportunity for researchers interested in contributing to critical conservation efforts through cutting-edge genomic techniques. The research will directly impact evidence-based conservation strategies for Australia's threatened mammal species.
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