[Coral-List] Ph.D. opportunity: Understanding and predicting southward range expansion of corals

[Madin Joshua]

Dear Coral List subscribers,

Please pass this announcement on to any keen and bright students/researchers looking to do a Ph.D.

Many thanks,

Josh Madin


Understanding and predicting southward range expansion of corals

A PhD scholarship is available for work with Dr. Joshua Madin (Macquarie University), Dr. Andrew Baird (James Cook University) and Professor David Booth (University of Technology, Sydney) investigating the southward range expansions of reef corals along the New South Wales (NSW) coastline.  The project will involve ecological surveys of bottom-dwelling organisms using permanent transects. This ecological data will be combined with larval recruitment experiments and a database of coral life histories to identify characteristics associated with southward expansions of tropical species and their potential influence on NSW ecosystems. The project will provide information for marine resource managers who need to develop strategies to cope with projected changes in coastal habitats.

Essential criteria:
- First Class Honours or equivalent
- Proven ability to design and execute ecological experiments
- Strong understanding of statistical procedures
- Extensive research diving and boating experience
- Ability to plan and conduct field trips in remote locations
- Ability to work in a team

Preferable criteria:
- Published in international journal/s
- Computer programming skills
- Willingness to interact with the public (eg, via the media and seminars)

For further information and inquiries in the first instance, please contact Dr Joshua Madin, email: joshua.madin at mq.edu.au, phone: +61 2 9850 8667, http://www.bio.mq.edu.au/computational_ecology

Scholarship applicants must meet minimum scholarship rating criteria. This scholarship opportunity may be restricted to a suitably qualified domestic applicant only, although an alternative scholarship opportunity may be available to a well-qualified international candidate.

The 2012 MQRES full-time stipend rate is $23,728 pa tax exempt for 3.5 years.

Applicants will need to complete a candidature/scholarship application form and arrange for two academic referee reports to be submitted to the Higher Degree Research Office. Refer to: http://www.hdr.mq.edu.au/information_about/applications for further application instructions. Macquarie University will advise the successful applicant of entitlements at the time of scholarship offer.