Phd Scholarships - Restoration Ecology - UNE
An opportunity exists for three PhD studies on the restoration ecology of the Warkworth Sands Woodlands (WSW), an endangered ecological community near Singleton. Projects in the area of vegetation recovery, plant-reproductive ecology, seed bank dynamics, soil health and reconfiguration and mycorrhizal partnerships are being planned for a 2008-2009 start. We are looking for dynamic people who enjoy working in the field and in a large team environment. Our students are based in Armidale, northern NSW but spend considerable time at our well appointed WSW field station where in-situ trials of recovery techniques in the adjacent woodlands and degraded farmlands can be undertaken. The project involves close collaboration with our Industry partner, Rio Tinto Coal Australia (RTCA) – Coal & Allied and all UNE staff and students working at our WSW sites are subject to random drug and alcohol testing and are expected to comply with all RTCA and UNE OH&S requirements.
The stipend for each PhD student ranges from $25,000-$27,000 and includes a generous provision for field necessities. Successful applicants will have a research Masters degree or an Honours year from a three year science based degree with a major in botany, ecology, soil science or plant pathology.
Interested candidates should contact the project leader, Associate Professor Caroline Gross (cgross@une.edu.au), Ecosystem Management, UNE and submit a one page outline of their interests in restoration ecology along with an academic transcript to Caroline Gross via email.
The positions will remain open until suitable candidates are appointed.
Further details of the School of Environmental and Rural Sciences can be found at http://www.une.edu.au/ers/