Available postgraduate projects

Charles Darwin University’s Research Institute for Northern Agriculture is looking for a PhD student to research hard-to-get-rid-of waste from remote cattle properties.

Scholarship and financial support

Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship valued at $32,192 per annum (from 2024; indexed annually) plus up to $10,000 per annum top-up, for 3 years from commencement is open to Australian citizens/residents or New Zealand citizens.

About the project

Like many industries, agriculture produces a significant amount and diversity of waste. The industry is keen to adopt the principles of the waste hierarchy and a circular economy to improve waste management on their farms and properties. Tyres from machines and vehicles are one such problematic waste. You will have the opportunity to work with industry partners (Tyre Stewardship Australia and one of Australia’s largest pastoral companies) to deeply understand the issues with used tyres and other hard-to-dispose-of waste from remote northern Australian agricultural enterprises and to develop novel approaches to manage this critical waste stream. This research will enhance understandings of past and current approaches for dealing with problematic waste streams and move towards minimizing waste, improving efficiency, sustainability and profitability by finding a future for these problematic waste materials.

This project also has the potential for the student to complete an industry internship if they would like to, as part of their PhD. Students could be located in Darwin or Alice Springs (where the supervisors are based), or anywhere in Australia by negotiation. The candidate would be expected to travel to remote Northern Territory locations as part of the project.

About you

• You bring a high level of academic merit and research background that meets the RTP Stipend Scholarship requirements (see https://www.cdu.edu.au/research-and-innovation/higher-degree-research/scholarships).
• Strong ability to work independently and show a high level of initiative.
• Be willing to travel to remote areas of northern Australia

• Have an Australian (or equivalent) driving license, or be willing to get one soon after starting their PhD

  Benefits to you

• Work closely with industry, with the additional opportunity to undertake an internship as part of your PhD
• You can be located anywhere in Australia but willing to travel and conduct fieldwork in remote areas of the Northern Territory.
• Opportunity to travel extensively in the remote and spectacular regions of Northern Territory
• Access to Student Support Services and Wellbeing Support Program.
• Work with a University committed to changing people’s lives for the better through training, education, and research.

Essential selection criteria

• Per the RTP scholarship conditions the candidate must be either an Australian citizen or permanent resident, or a New Zealand citizen.
• First-class Honours degree or a Masters degree containing a substantial research component in science or social science such as (but not limited to) environmental science, sociology, agricultural science, sustainability.
• Have the capacity to work in remote Northern Territory locations

Application process

• Interested applicants should contact Beth Penrose by email at beth.penrose@cdu.edu.au
• Please attach a CV and an expression of interest (1 page maximum) to your email. Deadline for expressions of interest is 7th April 2024.

Supervisory Team

The supervisory team will be drawn from CDU Researchers Associate Professor Beth Penrose and Dr Deepika Mathur, with the potential for additional industry supervisors

Diversity and Inclusion

At CDU, we actively celebrate our diversity. We innovate, embrace new ideas, and act with courage and kindness. We’re about what we can give to the world rather than what we take, and we believe in the transformative power of education. We work hard to make sure every member of our university community feels that they truly belong. Understanding that it is through our focus on our people and leveraging our differences that will make CDU the most connected university in Australia, we are striving to ensure that our culture and our community are inclusive of all our staff, students and visitors. We are committed to maintaining a culture where everyone feels respected, safe, encouraged to speak up and supported in achieving their professional goals. You make CDU. And we want you to be exactly who you are.

Project advertisement (PDF, 143.8 KB)

Charles Darwin University & Territory Natural Resource Management

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to investigate the establishment of a translocated population of a threatened small mammal species on a remote island in Northern Australia.

About the project

The PhD candidate will conduct research in conjunction with a translocation program to establish a population of the brush-tailed rabbit-rat on an island safe haven in Garig Gunak Barlu National Park (Cobourg Peninsula) in the Northern Territory. This is an exciting opportunity to conduct PhD research in a remote part of Australia working with scientists, park rangers and Traditional Owners on an important conservation initiative for one of Northern Australia's declining small mammals.

Research opportunities within the project involve:

• Ecological, demographic and genetic research to inform population models to assist with adaptive management of the translocated population.
• Comparing rabbit-rat populations on the island free from feral cats and feral herbivores with the mainland population on Cobourg Peninsula (where these threats are present) to gain greater insight into the impact of threatening processes on populations of declining native mammals.
• Dietary research using scat DNA metabarcoding, in conjunction with movement and habitat use data, to assess resource use and diet selection in a novel environment relative to source populations.
• Further research will be identified by the candidate.

Scholarship and supervision

The PhD candidate will be based in Darwin at the Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods in the Faculty of Science and Technology at Charles Darwin University and would need to successfully apply for an RTP scholarship prior to 12 April 2024 (approximately $32,192 p.a. tax free indexed annually). In addition, a top-up stipend of $10,000 p.a. will be provided. A relocation allowance of up to $2,000 is also available for RTP stipend recipients. The student will be supervised by Prof. Sam Banks, Assoc. Prof. Brett Murphy, and Dr Teigan Cremona at CDU, Dr Kelly Dixon at TNRM/CDU, and Assoc. Prof. Alex Kutt at NT Government DEPWS.

Eligibility criteria

To be considered for this opportunity, you must be eligible for a government funded Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship, have received first class Honours or equivalent, and have demonstrated remote fieldwork experience, preferably with small mammals. Experience in genetics, operating four-wheel drive vehicles (with a manual drivers' licence), working in sometimes challenging environments, and working with First Nations people is highly desirable, as is project management experience or transferable skills. The fieldwork component for this PhD opportunity will involve a significant amount of walking through remote, unmarked terrain, camping with limited or no amenities, and exposure to extreme weather conditions.

How to apply:

Application procedure

For information on the PhD program at CDU, please contact either Sam Banks (sam.banks@cdu.edu.au) or Brett Murphy (brett.murphy@cdu.edu.au).
For further information about enrolment eligibility please contact research.degrees@cdu.edu.au.
To express your interest in the project, please send a CV of no more than two pages and cover letter addressing the criteria to Kelly Dixon, kelly.dixon@territorynrm.org.au

We will be accepting applications until Sunday 17th March 2024.

Charles Darwin University (CDU) and CSIRO are coming together to offer a PhD opportunity in Epigenetics of Pests to commence during the first half of 2024.

Scholarship and financial support: A PhD Scholarship valued at $42,192 per annum, for 3 – 3.5 years from commencement, is open to Australian citizens/residents or New Zealand citizens. Plus a learning and development budget of $5,000 over the term of the studentship, and a generous research budget. Note that the scholarship already includes a top-up amount above base scholarship level and therefore is not eligible for additional funding from CSIRO.

About the project: Some root-knot nematode species include strains with widely varying virulence. Significantly, these strains cannot be differentiated using morphological or any standard genetic means. This variation in virulence is likely mediated by epigenetic control. A multi-omics approach is needed to identify makers which can diagnose nematode populations with varying virulence to inform crop selection and rotation.

We seek an outstanding graduate to study for a PhD with CDU co-supervised by CSIRO and working with the Australian Horticultural Industry to tackle a major issue for diagnosis of pathotypes of biosecurity pests. This opportunity combines an intellectually challenging problem, cutting-edge technology, and working with partners spanning the gamut of the innovation spectrum. We offer access to leading scientists and mentors, first-class facilities and first-hand experience in an environment where innovative research can change the world for the better.

You will be a student of CDU, with all rules relating to degree candidature applying, undertaking research at CSIRO as well as the university, but not being an employee of CSIRO.

We seek someone who is flexible, in recognition of which we offer flexibility of location between the primary centres of the research in Canberra and Darwin.

Eligibility

The applicant must enrol in a PhD programme at Charles Darwin University, and as such will need to meet the minimum eligibility criteria for admission. In addition, to be eligible to apply you must have (or expect to gain):

• An Australian citizen or permanent resident, or a New Zealand citizen
• a BSc Honours degree, MSc by research, or equivalent in a relevant research field (e.g., bioinformatics, microbiology, genomics or biochemistry);
• be eligible for admission to Charles Darwin University as a PhD student and enrol as a condition of appointment;
• not be in receipt of any other Scholarship simultaneously with this one;
• be available to commence with CSIRO during the first half of 2024, and
• not have previously completed a PhD.

Applications will be assessed on:

Academic calibre and research potential of the applicant as demonstrated by academic record, publications, experience, referee reports and quality of application.

As such applicants should:

• Be capable of demonstrating academic and research excellence, involving imagination, persistence and a desire to understand complex phenomena;
• Have a high level of written and oral communication skills;
• Have a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and proactively as a team member;
• Have a demonstrated ability to work on research projects individually or in teams; and
• Demonstrate self-direction, independence, and the ability to manage their own time effectively.

Highly desirable are:

• Experience working in a molecular laboratory; and
• Skills in bioinformatics.

Location: Canberra and/or Darwin (the successful candidate will be expected to spend time at both locations, but can be primarily located at either)

Contact Details
For more information on the research project please contact:

Mike Hodda (Team Leader Insect & Nematode Biosecurity, National Collections & Marine Infrastructure, CSIRO Canberra), phone (02) 6246 4371, email mike.hodda@csiro.au

Or

Maxine Piggott (Professor of Tropical Biosecurity, Charles Darwin University Darwin), phone (08) 8946 6763, email maxine.piggott@cdu.edu.au

Applications close: 2 February 2024

How to Apply
To apply for this scholarship:
Click on the link Apply Here on this webpage: PhD Scholarship - Epigenetics of Pests (csiro.au)

CSIRO National Collections and Marine Infrastructure’s goal is to solve Australia’s greatest challenges by leading Australia’s landmark marine and biodiversity infrastructure and carrying out innovative science.

Diversity and Inclusion: At CDU, we actively celebrate our diversity. We innovate, embrace new ideas, and act with courage and kindness. We’re about what we can give to the world rather than what we take, and we believe in the transformative power of education. We work hard to make sure every member of our university community feels that they truly belong. Understanding that it is through our focus on our people and leveraging our differences that will make CDU the most connected university in Australia, we are striving to ensure that our culture and our community are inclusive of all our staff, students and visitors. We are committed to maintaining a culture where everyone feels respected, safe, encouraged to speak up and supported in achieving their professional goals. Applications from First Nations people, women at all levels, culturally and linguistically diverse people, people with disability, neurotypical and neurodiverse people, LGBTIQ+ people, people with family and caring responsibilities and people at all stages of their careers are welcomed.

You make CDU. And we want you to be exactly who you are.

Charles Darwin University's (CDU) Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods (RIEL) is offering a scholarship for a PhD candidate to undertake a project, based in Darwin, on improving desert fire management with culturally directed science.

Scholarship and financial support: Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship valued at $32,192 per annum (2024 value; indexed annually) plus up to $6,000 per annum top-up, for 3 years from commencement is open to Australian citizens/residents or New Zealand citizens.

The University will also support Higher Degree by Research (HDR) students by providing RTP Scholarship recipients with a University Relocation Allowance. In 2023, this allowance is up to $2,000.

About the project: Aboriginal people have used fire in Australia’s spinifex deserts for thousands of years. These practices were disrupted by European colonisation, and the resulting shift in fire regimes contributed to the profound biodiversity losses that have occurred in the deserts over the past 250 years. Many Indigenous groups now seek to restore or strengthen ‘right-way fire’ practices, to meet inter-related social, cultural and biodiversity objectives.

The PhD project will be embedded in an Australian Research Council Linkage project that uses culturally directed science to examine the effects of fire and its management on desert species, to support Indigenous rangers with their adaptive management and reporting on fire management outcomes. The project is desktop-based but the student will spend time with the four ranger groups involved in the project, who will be integral to shaping the direction of the project.

This project is part of a close collaboration between several ranger groups in the northwestern deserts (Karajarri, Ngurrara, Nyangumarta, Ngururrpa), the Indigenous Desert Alliance, Environs Kimberley, and CDU. It will use culturally directed science to improve our understanding of how fire patterns have changed in the desert since European colonisation. This knowledge will be used by the ranger teams to set fire regime targets that are locally and culturally meaningful. The project will reconstruct historical fire patterns in the northwestern deserts using archived aerial photos from the 1940s and 1950s (when Aboriginal people were still living on their desert Country, and actively managing fire with traditional burning practices). These historical fire patterns will be compared to contemporary fire patterns (described using satellite imagery), to examine:

• The spatial patterns (e.g. the mosaic grain-size) that characterised fire regimes produced by traditional fire practices, and the differences with contemporary fire regimes.
• How the rainfall gradient of the project area (200 to 600 mm mean annual rainfall) affects these fire patterns.
• How the cultural use of sites affected historical fire patterns (by comparing differences in historical fire patterns near and far from sites of high cultural and resource use, identified by Traditional Owners).

About you:

• You bring a high level of academic merit and research background that meets the RTP Stipend Scholarship requirements (see https://www.cdu.edu.au/research-and-innovation/higher-degree-research/scholarships).
• Strong ability to work independently and show a high level of initiative.
• Experience with spatial analysis and capacity to plan and implement logistically complex analyses.
• An interest in and experience working closely and respectfully with Indigenous people.
• A willingness to conduct remote area fieldwork if required.

Benefits to you:

• You will be an integral part of a cross-sector research team with exposure to University, NGO and Indigenous controlled organisations, providing ample opportunity for professional development as well as career progression following completion of the PhD.
• Work on a unique research project where Indigenous knowledge and culture can influence future ecological management practices in some of Australia’s most vital ecosystems for biodiversity and threatened species.
• Opportunity to travel extensively in the remote and spectacular regions of Northern Territory and Western Australia.
• Access to Student Support Services and Wellbeing Support Program.
• Work with a University committed to changing people’s lives for the better through training, education, and research.

Essential selection criteria:

• Per the RTP scholarship conditions the candidate must be either an Australian citizen or permanent resident, or a New Zealand citizen.
• First-class Honours degree or a Masters degree containing a substantial research component in a relevant field.
• Cultural sensitivity and cross-cultural communication skills.
• Strong analytical skills.

Application process:

• Interested applicants should contact Sarah Legge by email at sarah.legge@cdu.edu.au
• Please attach a CV and a one-two page cover letter outlining your interest in the project, your research interests, your experience, addressing the above selection criteria and including any other relevant information
• Please note that applications will be assessed as they are received, and the preferred applicant will be invited to apply for a PhD enrolment online by 31st October 2023. We encourage early application.

Commencement date: The project is expected to commence in early 2024.

Supervisory Team: The supervisory team will be drawn from CDU Researchers, Prof Sarah Legge, Prof Brett Murphy and Prof Sam Banks, plus at least two external supervisors from the project partner groups.

Diversity and Inclusion

At CDU, we actively celebrate our diversity. We innovate, embrace new ideas, and act with courage and kindness. We’re about what we can give to the world rather than what we take, and we believe in the transformative power of education. We work hard to make sure every member of our university communityfeels that they truly belong. Understanding that it is through our focus on our people and leveraging our differences that will make CDU the most connected university in Australia, we are striving to ensure that our culture and our community are inclusive of all our staff, students and visitors. We are committed to maintaining a culture where everyone feels respected, safe, encouraged to speak up and supported in achieving their professional goals. You make CDU. And we want you to be exactly who you are.

CDU-NTG scholarship

CDU – NTG scholarship opportunity inCommercialisation of native rice for Indigenous enterprise development: Agronomy and value-adding

Scholarship and financial support: Base RTP scholarship $32,192 pa indexed annually, top-up scholarship of $6,000 pa from Industry partner Future Foods Systems CRC, for a maximum of 3 years from commencement. Open to Australian citizens/residents or New Zealand citizens.

Based at CDU Casuarina Campus

About the Opportunity

Seeking a PhD student for a project investigating the agronomy and commercialisation of native rice. This project builds on a previous research project, on the ‘Commercialisation of native rice for Indigenous enterprise development’, which was funded by the Future Food Systems CRC. This project will investigate agronomic issues associated with planting, nutrition, water efficiency, harvesting and/or milling of Australian native Oryza species. There is flexibility in the specific areas of focus, depending on the interests of the student. Project outcomes will support First Nations enterprises interested in the commercialisation of Australian native rice through cultivation.

The opportunity will include a minimum 3-month HDR internship with a research end-user to gain industry experience and develop connections. The details of the internship will depend on the final project plan.

Scholarship Details: The successful applicant will receive a Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship which will include a $32,192 (tax exempt and indexed annually) and a RTP Fee Offset for the tuition fees. The RTP scholarship conditions for CDU can be located at: https://policies.cdu.edu.au/view-current.php?id=7 An additional top up Scholarship of $6,000 per annum will be provided by the Future Food Systems CRC, to create a total annual scholarship of $38,192 per annum (tax exempt).

For further information on the CDU Scholarships please visit Higher Degree by Research Scholarships at CDU.

Eligibility

The successful applicant must:

• be an Australian Citizen, an Australian Permanent Resident; or a New Zealand Citizen
• meet the PhD course entry requirements at CDU: https://www.cdu.edu.au/research-and-innovation/future-research-students/apply-higher-degree-research

About You

To be considered for this opportunity you should have:

• First Class honours (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline
• Experience and/or qualifications in plant science (agronomy, physiology, genetics or ecology)
• Interest in agriculture and enterprise development in the context of First Nations economic development

How to Apply

To submit an expression of interest please send the following to Penny Wurm at penny.wurm@cdu.edu.au or Sean Bellairs (sean.bellairs@cdu.edu.au)

• Brief cover letter outlining your interest and relevant experience.
• Brief Curriculum Vitae
• Academic transcript

For further information

• visit our project website at Australian native rice commercialisation for a full list of project partners
• contact a member of the CDU team: Dr Sean Bellairs (sean.bellairs@cdu.edu.au) or Dr Penny Wurm penny.wurm@cdu.edu.au
• Contact a member of the NT Department of Industry Tourism and Trade (NT DITT) team Dr Sohail Mazhar (muhammadsohail.mazhar@nt.gov.au) or Dr Edward Mwando (edward.mwando@nt.gov.au)

Diversity and Inclusion

At CDU we actively celebrate our diversity. We innovate, embrace new ideas, and act with courage and kindness. We’re about what we can give to the world rather than what we take, and we believe in the transformative power of education. We work hard to make sure every member of our university community feels that they truly belong. Understanding that it is through our focus on our people and leveraging our differences that will make CDU the most connected university in Australia, we are striving to ensure that our culture and our community is inclusive of all our staff, students and visitors. We are committed to maintaining a culture where everyone feels respected, safe, encouraged to speak up and supported in achieving their professional goals. Applications from First Nations people, women at all levels, culturally and linguistically diverse people, people with disability, neurotypical and neurodiverse people, LGBTIQ+ people, people with family and caring responsibilities and people at all stages of their careers are welcomed.
 
You make CDU. And we want you to be exactly who you are.

Project advertisement (PDF, 201.63 KB)

Exploring opportunities

Charles Darwin University's (CDU) Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods (RIEL) is offering a scholarship for a PhD candidate to undertake a project that explores opportunities for ecosystem service economies on the Indigenous estate in the Northern Territory, Australia.

Scholarship and financial support: The Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship valued at $32,192 per annum (tax exempt and indexed annually), and an RTP Fee Offset for the tuition fees will also be available for a maximum of 3 years from commencement is open to Australian citizens/residents or New Zealand citizens. For further information about the RTP scholarship conditions for CDU see the RTP Policy and Procedure. For further information about CDU-NTG Scholarships please visit the Higher Degree by Research Scholarships at CDU web page.

The University will also support Higher Degree by Research (HDR) students by providing RTP Scholarship recipients with a University Relocation Allowance. In 2023, this allowance is up to $2,000.

About the project The proposed project will aim to assess the value of ecosystem services (ES) from native forests for the Indigenous peoples in East Arnhem Land, NT. The project will evaluate the benefits of forestry-related economic opportunities including job creation, the opportunity to work and learn on- country, enhanced well-being, etc. Estimating the value of Indigenous provenance timber and non-timber products and other ES will help to establish an emerging Indigenous forestry market sector, in line with the National Indigenous Forestry Strategy (2005). Additional project partners include Gumatj Corporation and the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade (DITT).

The PhD candidate will be based at one of CDU's Darwin campuses. The project will be led by the Ecosystem Services Group within the Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods. We will collaborate with the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade (DITT) Forestry branch where an Indigenous forestry project in East Arnhem Land is currently underway focused on opportunities for sustainable native forestry. The opportunity will also include a minimum three-month HDR internship with a research end-user to gain experience and develop connections.

About you:

• You bring a high level of academic merit and research background that meets the RTP Stipend Scholarship requirements, preferably in Environmental Sciences or a similar field
• A sound understanding of and interest in working with Indigenous people in Australia
• A willingness to conduct remote fieldwork and to actively participate in an internship with a research end-user

Benefits to you:

• You will be an integral part of a trans-disciplinary research team with exposure to University, Government and Industry, providing ample opportunity for professional development as well as career progression following completion of the PhD
• Help make a difference to the wellbeing of First Nations communities by contributing to the establishment and support of pathways for the Indigenous peoples of East Arnhem Land to work, learn and earn on country
• Undertake fieldwork and travel in the remote and spectacular regions of the Northern Territory
• Access to Student Support Services and Wellbeing Support Program
• Work with a University committed to changing people’s lives for the better through training, education and research.

Essential selection criteria:

• Per the RTP scholarship conditions, the candidate must be either an Australian citizen or permanent resident, or a New Zealand citizen
• First-class Honours degree or a Master’s degree containing a substantial research component in a relevant field
• Must be able to meet the PhD course entry requirements at CDU
• It is preferable that applicants have some publications, e.g., research reports, journal publications, etc.

Application process:

Interested applicants should contact Assoc Prof Kamaljit Sangha email at kamaljit.sangha@cdu.edu.au to submit an expression of interest attaching:

• a CV
• one-two page cover letter outlining your research interests and experience
• relevant statements and academic transcripts
• publications

Please note that applications will be assessed as they are received, and the preferred applicant will be invited to apply for a PhD enrolment online.

As there is no closing date on this application process, we encourage early application.

Commencement date: ASAP

Principal supervisor: Dr Kamaljit Sangha, Associate Professor – Ecological Economics, Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Faculty of Science and Technology. Contact kamaljit.sangha@cdu.edu.au or +61 8 8946 6792.

Diversity and Inclusion

At CDU, we actively celebrate our diversity. We innovate, embrace new ideas, and act with courage and kindness. We’re about what we can give to the world rather than what we take, and we believe in the transformative power of education. We work hard to make sure every member of our university community feels that they truly belong. Understanding that it is through our focus on our people and leveraging our differences that will make CDU the most connected university in Australia, we are striving to ensure that our culture and our community are inclusive of all our staff, students and visitors. We are committed to maintaining a culture where everyone feels respected, safe, encouraged to speak up and supported inachieving their professional goals. Applications from First Nations people, women at all levels, culturally and linguistically diverse people, people with disability, neurotypical and neurodiverse people, LGBTIQ+ people, people with family and caring responsibilities and peopleat all stages of their careers are welcomed.

You make CDU. And we want you to be exactly who you are.

Project advertisement (PDF, 201.27 KB)

Supervisor: Stephen Garnett

Project suitable for: PhD

Project summary

The project is linked to a broader project funded by the Australian Research Council looking at the governance of taxonomic lists, but the PhD project is to consider the governance of science globally. How did scientists decide that Pluto is no longer a planet? Or whether to recognise the Anthropocene? Scientists have no power to enforce their judgements through international law so must negotiate agreements through to a consensus view. Yet these same decisions can have implications for real life if they are subsequently adopted by governments. As part of the research on how scientific organisations govern themselves, the research will consider not only how decisions are reached but also how different organisations resolve disputes and ensure inclusion of a wide range of opinions. When the research is complete, the student will have an understanding of organisational governance that can be applied widely around the world.

How to Apply

To submit an expression of interest, please send the following to Stephen Garnett at stephen.garnett@cdu.edu.au

• A cover letter that includes a brief statement of the applicant’s suitability (max two pages)
• A curriculum vitae, including a list of any peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations and relevant work and/or research experience
• A brief statement not exceeding 500-words in length that explains why you are interested in this research project/area

How to assess your suitability:

Essential criteria

1. Australian Citizen, Australian Permanent Resident; or a New Zealand Citizen
2. First-Class Honours, Masters by Research, or equivalent from a university, or a discipline (“subject”), ranked in the top 500 globally
3. If the university/discipline (“subject”) ranked in the top 500, the applicant: received a high distinction on an undergraduate honours/postgraduate research project, or graduated in the top 5-10% of their class (or achieved a GPA of more than 85%)

Desirable criteria

At least one publication equivalent to the top 25% of journals in the field

Diversity and Inclusion

At CDU we actively celebrate our diversity. We innovate, embrace new ideas, and act with courage and kindness. We’re about what we can give to the world rather than what we take, and we believe in the transformative power of education. We work hard to make sure every member of our university community feels that they truly belong.

Understanding that it is through our focus on our people and leveraging our differences that will make CDU the most connected university in Australia, we are striving to ensure that our culture and our community is inclusive of all our staff, students and visitors. We are committed to maintaining a culture where everyone feels respected, safe, encouraged to speak up and supported in achieving their professional goals.

Applications from First Nations people, women at all levels, culturally and linguistically diverse people, people with disability, neurotypical and neurodiverse people, LGBTIQ+ people, people with family and caring responsibilities and people at all stages of their careers are welcomed.

You make CDU. And we want you to be exactly who you are.

Supervisor(s): Brett Murphy, Patricia Werner (ANU)

Project suitable for: Honours

Project summary

Northern Australian savannas are experiencing a rapid loss of biodiversity, and altered fire regimes may be to blame.

It has been suggested that highly flammable annual native grasses, especially Sorghum spp. (spear-grasses), have increased in abundance and fuelling high frequencies of intense fires. This hypothesised phenomenon is an example of a grass–fire cycle.

This project will evaluate this hypothesis, by re-visiting a number of sites in the lowland savannas of Kakadu National Park, that were previously surveyed in the late 1980s.

The dataset from the 1980s includes measurements of grass biomass and assessment of the dominant grass species, and similar measurements will be made now. This data will allow us to evaluate whether grass biomass and grass layer diversity have changed over 30 years, and in particular whether Sorghum has become more dominant.

Funding info: Funded. No top-up.

Closing date: Open

More information: brett.murphy@cdu.edu.au

Area of Research Strength: Savanna & Arid Ecology

Supervisor(s): Professor Sam Banks, Molecular Ecology group (https://sambanks.weebly.com/)

Project suitable for: PhD, Masters or Honours

Project summary

Molecular ecology uses methods in genomics and ecology to understand biodiversity and how it responds to environmental change.

My group is seeking students to work on projects that use laboratory genomics, computer simulation modelling and field-based ecology to contribute to the knowledge and conservation of northern Australian vertebrates.

We are interested in broad-scale patterns of biogeography of native mammals across this region, as well as understanding impacts of major ecological processes (such as fire regimes, climate and refugia) on the ecology and persistence of species across this region.

Funding info: tbc

Closing date: Open

More information:

Area of Research Strength:Biodiversity Conservation, Savanna & Arid Ecology

Supervisor(s): A/Professor Brett Murphy

Project suitable for: PhD, Masters or Honours

Project summary:

Our research investigates the sustainable management of tropical savanna landscapes. We are seeking passionate and skilled students to work on projects that explore how fire has shaped and maintains the biota of tropical savannas, and how contemporary fire regimes can best be managed for biodiversity conservation, especially in relation to declining small mammals and fire-sensitive vegetation communities.

Funding info: tbc

Closing date: Open

More information: brett.murphy@cdu.edu.au

Research Group: Tropical Savanna Ecology

Area of Research Strength:Biodiversity Conservation, Savanna & Arid Ecology

Supervisor(s) Anna Padovan

Project suitable for: Honours

Project summary

We have detected Vibrio parahaemolyticus in shellfish in Darwin Harbour. 

To understand the ecology of this potentially human pathogenic bacterium, the student will measure the concentration of total V. parahaemolyticus and virulent strains in seawater and sediment from different times and locations with varied physicochemical parameters, in particular, seawater temperature, salinity, rainfall events and nutrients.

Multivariate analysis will be performed to determine if there are conditions likely to lead to the proliferation of V. parahaemolyticus, particularly virulent strains.

Funding: n/a

Specific requirements: Experience working in a PC2 lab; microbiological techniques (culturing, plating); molecular techniques (DNA extractions, gel electrophoresis, PCR, qPCR); understanding of and ability to work with biohazards; well-organised

Closing date: Open

More information anna.padovan@cdu.edu.au  ph 8946 6555

Area of Research Strength: Water & Catchments

Project supervisor(s): Anna Padovan and Karen Gibb

Project suitable for: PhD

Project summary

Vibrio spp. are common in biota, water and sediment in estuarine and coastal environments including Darwin Harbour.

Several vibrio species have human pathogenic strains and globally, are the major cause of bacterial gastroenteritis following the ingestion of uncooked seafood.

This research provides an opportunity to study the abundance and distribution of Vibrio species in seawater over different seasons, and their association with environmental factors.

An additional focus could be an analysis of the annual Trichodesmium bloom holobiont and whether this has an association with Vibrio ecology prior during and after the bloom event. The results will have implications for public health and to inform further research on aquaculture and seafood harvest in tropical coastal areas.

The study will initially focus on Darwin Harbour, Northern Territory, Australia, where blooms regularly develop in the months of September and October.

Closing date: Open

Specific requirements: Experience in microbiology and DNA analysis

Funding: tbd

More information: anna.padovan@cdu.edu.au