PhD Scholarship: Groundwater dependent ecosystems
Title:
PhD Scholarship: Groundwater
dependent ecosystems
Location:
Sydney
Groundwater is essential to
subterranean ecosystems, wetlands and terrestrial vegetation that access
groundwater. Together, these interlinked ecosystems sustain substantial
biodiversity and provide valuable services such as the provision of clean water
which is vital for rural communities and industries.
This project will examine the
relationships between groundwater quality and ecosystem health, and the
condition of wetlands and native terrestrial vegetation in the Murray Darling
Basin. This is the first step of a larger project in collaboration with NSW
Department of Planning and Environment and will explore the changes of
ecosystem conditions as the climate transitions from a La Nina (wet) to El Nino
(dry) conditions.
The project will require
extensive fieldwork to collect and analyse groundwater biota, and assess the
health and condition of wetlands and native vegetation. There is considerable
scope within this project to explore particular aspects of terrestrial, wetland
and groundwater ecology or relationships between ecology and hydrology that are
of interest to the candidate. Candidates will develop skills in areas including
the analysis of environmental DNA, vegetation and wetland condition assessment,
GIS, water isotopes and statistical modelling and analyses. The project will
provide knowledge directly to inform state government policy and will include
opportunities for an internship with government agencies.
Two scholarships are available.
Candidates focus on a largely independent project with direct outcomes to
improving environmental management and conservation of GDEs. Each project will
provide opportunities for the candidates to work closely with industry
partners, which may include an internship, and as part of an established and
successful research team. The projects will require excellent communication
skills to build relationships with landowners, land managers and other
stakeholders. An excellent candidate will be able to build their research track
record for a broad range of professional futures including academia, industry,
non-government and government organisations.
How to apply:
For further information and enquiries in the first instance,
please contact Prof Grant Hose Grant.Hose@mq.edu.au +61298506296 or Dr Kathryn
Korbel Kathryn.Korbel@mq.edu.au +61407954488, before submitting an
application.
For further information
To apply
