Inter- and intraspecific diversity within Australian Kareniaceae: phylogenetic and ecophysiological perspectives on harmful bloom-forming taxa.

About the research project

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) caused by unarmoured dinoflagellates in the Kareniaceae family pose significant ecological and economic risks worldwide, primarily through mass fish kills and human health impacts from brevetoxins, karlotoxins, and related bioactive compounds. Despite their global significance, species- and strain-level diversity within this family, along with environmental niches and trophic strategies, remain incompletely resolved.

This PhD will develop a comparative, multi-chapter framework to characterise species- and strain-level diversity and functional ecology across the Kareniaceae. The four chapters are sequenced to build progressively from taxonomic resolution to functional ecology. Phylogenetic characterisation in Chapter 1 establishes the genus- and strain-level framework that underpins inter- and intraspecific comparison throughout Chapters 2--4. The ecophysiological baselines developed in Chapter 2 provide environmental context for interpreting the trophic strategies explored in Chapter 3, while Chapter 4 extends the framework to toxin diversity.

Chapter 1: Molecular diversity and phylogeny will reconstruct the molecular phylogeny of new environmental isolates spanning genera within the Kareniaceae, including newly described species within Karenia and Takayama. These lineages will be aligned against reference strains sourced from internationally recognised culture collections, including the Australian National Algae Culture Collection (ANACC, CSIRO) and the Cawthron Institute Culture Collection of Microalgae (CICCM), New Zealand.

Chapter 2: HAB ecophysiology will measure the physiological responses of key taxa across gradients of temperature, salinity, nutrients, and light to quantify inter- and/or intraspecific diversity in environmental niche occupancy. Laboratory results will identify the principal abiotic drivers of bloom formation and be contextualised against climate shifts projected for Australia's coastal waters.

Chapter 3: Nutritional plasticity and preference will characterise the nutritional mode of key taxa to understand their ecological roles within food webs and biogeochemical cycles. Laboratory experiments will include: (i) broad screening for phagotrophic food uptake across Kareniaceae species to examine the capacity and rates of mixotrophy, and (ii) quantification of the relative contributions of inorganic and organic nutrients to the growth of HAB-forming taxa.

Chapter 4: Toxin diversity (conditional on funding) will determine toxin profiles for newly described species and characterise inter- and/or intraspecific toxicity across strains, improving understanding of toxin variability within and between HAB events.

The project leverages IMAS/UTAS strengths in plankton taxonomy and HAB ecology. Expected outcomes include a refined phylogenetic framework for Kareniaceae, quantified environmental niches for key taxa, and validated toxin analytics across strains within Karenia, Karlodinium, and Takayama. These will inform risk assessments and monitoring for Australian HABs.

Primary supervisor

Meet Doctor Fraser Kennedy

Funding

Applicants will be considered for a Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship or Tasmania Graduate Research Scholarship (TGRS) which, if successful, 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)

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

Additional Funding

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.

Application process

1. Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
2. Contact Doctor Fraser Kennedy 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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