La Trobe University Industry Research Scholarship - Flow Ecology of Fish Populations and Food Webs in Unregulated Rivers

Amount

$28597
Per annum for three and a half years. Fee relief additional.

Opening date

Closing date

Status

Closed

Who is it for?

Future PhD candidates, Australian Citizen, International Student, New Zealand Citizen, Permanent Resident

Where is it available?

Albury-Wodonga

How is it paid?

Fortnightly stipend

Background

Populations of freshwater fish in the coastal regions of south-eastern Australia face a range of critical threats, including reduced river flows and an increased frequency of intense fire due to climate change and consumptive water demands. There is an urgent need for better information on these threats and their impacts on fish populations and food webs to support future management and conservation.

This project is an exciting opportunity to conduct field-based research on fish and food web ecology in coastal rivers of southern NSW and eastern Victoria. The project will focus on relationships between river flows and fish ecology (e.g., habitat associations) and food web structure, and will examine the vulnerability of fish to changes in river hydrology and other disturbances (e.g., fire frequency).

The project offers a full PhD scholarship to an outstanding candidate with a suitable background in aquatic ecology and/or environmental science. The scholarship has been established by La Trobe University in partnership with the Victorian Department of Environment, Land Water and Planning and the NSW Department of Primary Industries.

The student will receive supervision from University researchers and Industry partners, ensuring extensive opportunities for networking and professional experience. The PhD candidate will be based at La Trobe University (Albury-Wodonga) and will spend time working on location with the Industry partners in Victoria and NSW.

Benefits of the scholarship include:

  • a La Trobe Research Scholarship for three and a half years, with a value of $28,597.00 per annum, to support your living costs (2021 rate)
  • a fee-relief scholarship for up to four years
  • relocation allowance and publication/thesis allowance
  • opportunities to work with La Trobe’s outstanding researchers, and have access to our suite of professional development programs.

Are you eligible to apply?

To be eligible to apply for this scholarship, applicants must:

meet the entrance requirements for Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

not be receiving another scholarship greater than 75 per cent of the stipend rate for the same purpose.

In selecting successful applicants, we prioritise applications from candidates who:

•will be enrolled full-time and undertaking their research at a La Trobe University campus

•have completed a Masters by Research or other significant body of research, such as an honours research thesis or lead authorship of a peer-reviewed publication, assessed at a La Trobe Masters by research standard of 75 or above

•are an Australian and New Zealand citizen or Australian permanent resident.

How to apply

If you wish to apply for this scholarship, follow Step 3 on our research application page – please ensure you submit a full application for scholarship and candidature

Please note: As part of your application you are not required to identify a potential supervisor – A/Prof. David Crook is the designated supervisor for this project;

In your application, clearly indicate that you wish to be considered for the La Trobe University Industry Research Scholarship ‘Flow Ecology of Fish Populations and Food Webs in Unregulated Rivers.

Selection process:

The University will carefully review your application and consider you for this scholarship.

If you are shortlisted for the scholarship and candidature, you will be invited to an interview with representatives of La Trobe, Victorian Department of Environment, Land Water and Planning and the NSW Department of Primary Industries.

The final decision will be made based on your application and interview. The successful candidate will be made an offer for candidature and scholarship.

You will be advised of an outcome in November 2021.

Who to contact for further information

Associate Professor David Crook, d.crook@latrobe.edu.au