[Coral-List] PhD Scholarship on Crown-of-Thorns Starfish available at Southern Cross University, Australia

[Benjamin Mos]

PhD scholarship: Feeding ecology of Crown-of-Thorns Starfish larvae in a changing ocean

Southern Cross University is offering a PhD scholarship to examine how the response of the Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (COTS) to climate change is influenced by what they eat. The candidate will work to generate new knowledge about one of the most important threats to coral reefs, while also gaining skills and experience useful for a career working in or near the oceans.

Project details
The PhD project will examine how diet influences the response of the larvae of COTS and other invertebrates to climate change. The candidate will contribute to the design and implementation of their project, lead publications arising from their work, and assist in communicating research findings to stakeholders and the public. The project will be primarily lab based, with potential for field work, locally or in remote areas. The candidate will interact with a team of ocean change researchers based at Australian and international universities, with opportunities for network building and collaboration. The candidate will undertake training in modern analytical techniques, such as potentiometric titration, linear and non-linear statistical modelling, and fatty acid extraction and quantification. The candidate will also gain practical skills in the culture of microalgae and the larvae of marine invertebrates.  

Applicants must have a research Masters or Honours degree (ideally 1st class), undertaken in English, in a scientific discipline. Only applicants currently residing in Australia will be considered. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply. Southern Cross University is committed to supporting students from diverse backgrounds in a culturally safe workplace.

The candidate will be based at the National Marine Science Centre at Southern Cross University (Coffs Harbour, Australia). The university is internationally recognised for its world-leading research in the fields of fisheries and oceanography and has a strong marine climate change focus. Coffs Harbour is on the idyllic northern coast of New South Wales. It has a sub-tropical climate with great surfing, fishing, and diving, and easy access to Gondwana rainforest and wilderness areas.

Scholarship details
Scholarships provide a tax-free annual stipend for a 3-year duration at the Australian Research Training Program rate; the 2021 rate is $28,597 per year (indexed annually). 

Application information
Interested applicants should submit an expression of interest, which must include a CV, copies of previous research outputs, contact details for two referees, and a short statement (< 1 page) highlighting your research background, interests in the topic, and reasons for wanting to do a PhD, to Dr Benjamin Mos (benjamin.mos at scu.edu.au). The closing date for applications is Monday 14th June, 2021 at 11:30 PM AEST. This project aims to officially start in the third quarter of 2021, but there is some flexibility with the exact starting date (upon mutual agreement).

Invitation to attend an interview 
If your expression of interest is shortlisted, you may be invited to attend an interview. Further details about the interview will be provided in the invitation.