Using remote sensing to track wildfire impacts on organic soils across western Tasmanian sedgelands

About the research project

Western Tasmania, one of the wet regions in Australia, is climatically suited for temperate rainforest yet around 40% of the region supports treeless sedgelands. The sedgelands are highly flammable and it is understood that the sedgeland areas were frequently burned by Tasmanian Aboriginal people for millennia. Despite the high flammability of sedgelands, they grow on organic (peat) soils which become combustible if they dry out. There is concern that vast areas of western Tasmanian sedgeland are being degraded by unfavorable fire regimes associated with climate change and the cessation of Tasmanian Aboriginal fire management.

Using the satellite record and strategic fieldwork this PhD project will investigate the geographic and temporal patterns of fire burn severity on organic soils across western Tasmania. The analysis will determine if wildfires affect sedgeland organic soils differently to prescribed burning. Additionally, the project will assess the effectiveness and durability of prescribed burning in controlling wildfire spread across landscapes under different fire weather conditions. 

The overarching goal of the project is to provide a spatial and temporal framework that can help fire managers understand the effects of wildfire and prescribed fire on organic soils. The project is supported by an ARC Laureate Fellowship held by Professor David Bowman, who will co-supervise the student with Dr Grant Williamson the senior geospatial analyst in the Fire Centre. 

Primary supervisor

Meet Doctor Grant Williamson

Funding

The successful applicant will receive a scholarship which provides:

• a living allowance stipend funded by University of Tasmania of $34,315 per annum 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)

A tuition fee offset may be offered to eligible international applicants following competitive assessment 

As part of the application process you may indicate if you do not wish to be considered for scholarship funding.

Additional Funding

If successful, applicants will also receive a ARC Laureate top-up scholarship of $5,000 per annum for 3.5 years. This scholarship is funded from ARC Laureate Fellowship UTas contributions.

Other funding opportunities and fees

For further information regarding other scholarships on offer, and the various fees for 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.

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:

• An honours degree or equivalent in ecology, biology, plant science, geography, geoscience, or environmental science
• Experience with GIS software (e.g., ArcMap, QGIS, R, Python)
• Ability to perform fieldwork 
• Excellent written and verbal English and scientific communication skills
• A current driving licence

Additional desirable selection criteria specific to this project:

• Experience undertaking historical and ecological research
• Statistical knowledge
• Publication in scholarly journals

Application process

1. Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
2. Contact Doctor Grant Williamson to discuss your suitability and the project's requirements; and
3. 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.
4. Apply prior to 1 June 2026.

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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