Tracking Seals, Tracing Viruses: How Southern Elephant Seal Movements Shape Pathogen Spread Across the Southern Ocean

About the research project

Southern elephant seals undertake some of the longest migrations of any marine predator, linking breeding colonies, haul-out sites and oceanic foraging regions across the Southern Ocean. These movements may create pathways for pathogens to spread between otherwise distant populations, but we do not yet know when, where or among which populations transmission opportunities are greatest.

This PhD will use an exceptional >20-year satellite telemetry dataset, together with new tracking and biological sampling at Macquarie and Kerguelen Islands, to investigate how elephant seal movement shapes pathogen transmission. The candidate will reconstruct movement trajectories using state-space models, quantify spatial and temporal overlap among populations, build dynamic connectivity networks, and test whether seals can plausibly move between sites while infectious. Movement-derived transmission pathways will then be compared with H5N1 outbreak patterns and viral phylogeography, with non-H5N1 viruses providing an additional test of longer-term pathogen connectivity.

A third component will investigate sex- and age-specific disease dynamics, motivated by preliminary evidence of sex differences in H5 exposure. By integrating movement, serology, infection data and available demographic information, the project will test whether behavioural and ecological differences create unequal exposure and assess potential consequences for population structure and recovery.

The project will deliver a mechanistic understanding of how highly mobile marine wildlife can connect disease outbreaks across ocean basins and identify high-risk transmission pathways relevant to Southern Ocean conservation, wildlife health surveillance and Australian biosecurity.

Primary supervisor

Meet Doctor Jane Younger

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.

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:

• Honours or Masters degree (or equivalent research experience) in ecology, marine biology, zoology, quantitative biology, molecular ecology, disease ecology, epidemiology or a related field
• Demonstrated capacity for quantitative data analysis and scientific programming
• Ability to work independently with large datasets and communicate research clearly in writing
• Strong interest in movement ecology, disease ecology and Southern Ocean systems
• Remote field experience

Additional desirable selection criteria specific to this project:

• Experience with animal tracking, spatial ecology, GIS, state-space modelling, network analysis or Bayesian/statistical modelling
• Familiarity with phylogenetics, pathogen genomics or disease ecology
• Experience with reproducible workflows and version control
• Willingness to participate in remote fieldwork and collaborative international research where opportunities arise

Application process

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