Building climate resilience into red handfish recovery and habitat restoration

About the research project

Climate change is an increasing threat to the persistence of the Critically Endangered red handfish and the habitat-forming species on which it depends on in Tasmania. This project will develop and test practical approaches to embed climate resilience into red handfish recovery and habitat restoration.

 Proposed chapters:

1.  Genetic diversity and connectivity of seagrass meadows. Determine patterns of genetic diversity, inbreeding coefficients and connectivity among seagrass and fucoid populations to identify key source and sink meadows for genetic connectivity, conservation significance and candidate populations for experimental assessment of climate resilience in subsequent chapters.
2. Investigate climate-resilient restoration including aspects of temperature tolerance among seagrass and fucoid populations; using ex situ experiments hardening of seagrass & fucoids (priming) experiments Enhancing climate resilience of marine macrophytes. This chapter will evaluate the thermal tolerance and acclimation capacity of seagrass and fucoid populations to identify restoration materials best suited to future environmental conditions.
3. Climate-informed translocation of red handfish. Assess how environmental conditions, habitat quality, and thermal exposure influence the suitability of sites for red handfish translocation and population recovery.
4. Building adaptive capacity: emergency response and conservation planning. Develop an evidence-based framework for responding to climate-driven disturbances and extreme events affecting red handfish and marine macrophyte populations.

Primary supervisor

Meet Doctor Jemina Stuart-Smith

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)

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.

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.

Additional eligibility criteria specific to this project/scholarship:

• Scientific diver qualifications, or ability to be on the UTAS dive register (including relevant qualifications, such as first aid, and ability to successfully pass a commercial dive medical)
• Strong commitment to safe working practices and effective teamwork across field, laboratory, and other research environments

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:

• Strong organisational skills and capacity to management project requirements, including risk assessments for field and lab-based work, animal ethics and research permits

Additional desirable selection criteria specific to this project:

• Current Australian drivers license
• Coxswain qualification and demonstrated ability to work at sea
• Strong quantitative skills

Application process

1. Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
2. Contact Doctor Jemina Stuart-Smith 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 October 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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