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VCRF HDR Scholarship in Invertebrate Ecology

This PhD project will investigate community level responses to urban natural resource management practices in three key invertebrate groups; pollinators, decomposers and predators. The work will be conducted across the Perth metropolitan area, with the potential to extend to other Australian cities. The successful PhD candidate will work as part of a growing urban ecology research team in collaboration with NRM practitioners, local governments, ecologists and entomologists across Australia. The position is based at ECU, Joondalup in the Conservation and Biodiversity Research Centre.

Important dates

Opens: 14-12-2023 Closes: 5-02-2024

Applies to

Postgraduate Research

At a glance

  • Invertebrates provide vital ecosystem services such as pollination, decomposition and biological control. In urban areas, invertebrate biodiversity is threatened by impacts such as insecticide use, loss and degradation of habitat and changes in climate.
  • There is some understanding of how invertebrates respond to these threats, but we have little information on how communities respond to the management practices put in place to mitigate urban impacts, or the flow on effects on ecosystem services.
  • This PhD project will investigate community level responses to urban natural resource management practices in three key invertebrate groups; pollinators, decomposers and predators. The work will be conducted across the Perth metropolitan area, with the potential to extend to other Australian cities.
  • The successful PhD candidate will work as part of a growing urban ecology research team in collaboration with NRM practitioners, local governments, ecologists and entomologists across Australia. The position is based at ECU, Joondalup in the Conservation and Biodiversity Research Centre.

Eligibility guidelines

This position is open to domestic and international candidates. To be eligible for this scholarship applicants must:

  • Meet the entry requirements for a PhD at ECU

Selection Criteria

  • Understanding of urban ecology and the impacts of human modified systems on ecosystem services
  • Knowledge of invertebrate taxonomy and field sampling protocols
  • Experience in statistics and management of ecological data
  • Experience working with natural resource management stakeholders (optional)
  • Drivers license and ability to conduct field work

How to apply

Please send your CV and a brief letter addressing the selection criteria to Dr. Lizzy Lowe.

Candidates do not have to meet all of the selection criteria to be considered.

For more information

Contact Prof Kathryn McMahon or Dr. Lizzy Lowe for more details.

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