Degree type
PhD
Closing date
1 November 2023
Campus
Hobart
Citizenship requirement
Domestic / International
Scholarship
$31,500pa for 3.5 years
About the research project
Once present across much of south-eastern Australia, mainland populations of eastern quolls were extirpated by disease, invasive predators and persecution. In Tasmania, eastern quolls were widespread and abundant until the early 2000s, before entering a decline which has continued for almost two decades. This project will focus on the Midlands and East Coast regions of Tasmania, where declines have been among the most severe.
The project centres around an ambitious programme of replicated translocations of captive-bred eastern quolls. These translocations are designed to test hypotheses for eastern quoll declines in these regions, while simultaneously refining the protocols for, and evaluating the effectiveness of, such translocations as a management action to reverse quoll declines in Tasmania.
This project will experimentally evaluate the influence of intrinsic quoll characteristics (e.g., genetic provenance, age, sex, behaviour profile) and release strategies (e.g., release season, predator aversion training, supplementary feeding) on survival, fitness and behaviour of released quolls. Where translocations are undertaken at sites with extant quoll populations, the candidate will also examine the impact of translocations on release cohort characteristics on long-term population density and the retention of local genetic adaptation in wild populations. The project would suit a candidate with interest in conservation genetics and animal behaviour.
There are two PhD projects on eastern quoll conservation available as part of an ongoing collaboration between the Tasmanian Land Conservancy, WWF Australia and the University of Tasmania. Both PhD candidates will work together to monitor the outcomes of each translocation via live-trapping, telemetry and motion-sensor cameras.
Primary Supervisor
Meet Dr Menna JonesFunding
The successful applicant will receive a scholarship which provides:
- a living allowance stipend of $31,500 per annum (2023 rate, indexed annually) for 3.5 years
- a relocation allowance of up to $2,000
- a tuition fees offset covering the cost of tuition fees for up to four years (domestic applicants only)
If successful, international applicants will receive a University of Tasmania Fees Offset for up to four years.
As part of the application process you may indicate if you do not wish to be considered for scholarship funding.
Other funding opportunities and fees
For further information regarding other scholarships on offer, and the various fees of undertaking a research degree, please visit our Scholarships and fees on research degrees page.
Eligibility
Applicants should review the Higher Degree by Research minimum entry requirements.
Ensure your eligibility for the scholarship round by referring to our Key Dates.
Additional eligibility criteria specific to this project/scholarship:
- The degree must be undertaken on a full-time basis
- Applicants must already have been awarded a First-Class
- Honours degree or hold equivalent qualifications or relevant and substantial research experience in an appropriate sector
- Applicants must be able to demonstrate strong research and analytical skills
- Applicants must meet English requirements or be able to do so before commencement
- Applications are open to Domestic and International applicants
- Applicants must be able to undertake the project on-campus
Selection Criteria
The project is competitively assessed and awarded. Selection is based on academic merit and suitability to the project as determined by the College.
Additional essential selection criteria specific to this project:
- A good understanding in the fields of behavioural and quantitative ecology, and molecular genetics
- Ability to conduct field work in remote locations
- Ability to work with large data sets
- Proven success in developing mathematical models and coding in R statistics
- Ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary team
- Current driver’s licence
Additional desirable selection criteria specific to this project:
- Experience with 4WD and remote field work
Application process
- Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
- Contact Dr Menna Jones to discuss your suitability and the project's requirements; and
- In your application:
- Copy and paste the title of the project from this advertisement into your application. If you don’t correctly do this your application may be rejected.
- Submit a signed supervisory support form, a CV including contact details of 2 referees and your project research proposal.
- Apply prior to 1 November 2023.
Full details of the application process can be found under the 'How to apply' section of the Research Degrees website.
Following the closing date applications will be assessed within the College. Applicants should expect to receive notification of the outcome by email by the advertised outcome date.
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