Student project and volunteer opportunities
Student projectsPhD
For an early 2018 start - or sooner if you don't need to apply for a Research Training Program scholarship or equivalent
We're offering two exciting PhD projects. Successful applicants will study the effects of fire and fragmentation on biodiversity in eucalypt woodlands: Project 1 The stringybark woodlands of western Victoria and eastern South Australia are typical of much of southeast Australia in that they are highly flammable and have been extensively cleared. This project involves collecting data on mammals or invertebrates to determine the influence of fire and fragmentation on species diversity and movement. Project 2 The Mount Lofty Ranges of South Australia is recognised as one of Australia’s Biodiversity Hotspots and is home to threatened species like the Southern Brown Bandicoot and Mount Lofty Ranges Chestnut-rumped Heathwren. The aim of this project is to understand the influence of fire and fragmentation on key fauna species. The projects will run from 2018 to 2021 and are based at the Creswick campus near Ballarat, Victoria. Both projects require collection of field data in the regions of Casterton (Project 1) or Adelaide (Project 2). We are committed to supporting PhD students by providing:
Please find further information here. Applicants should send a written expression of interest, CV and academic transcript, to Holly by 25 September 2017. Holly can also be contacted with any enquiries. Masters and Honours: Research Projects
Fire & Fragmentation Project: several projects available
Start dates are flexible, so please contact Julian any time if you are interested. A key knowledge gap is how the characteristics of fragmented landscapes (e.g. patch size and isolation) interact with the characteristics of fire regimes (e.g. fire size, patchiness and spatial distribution) to influence animal conservation. The broad objective of this project is to determine how both fragmentation and aspects of the fire regime influence the occurrence and movement potential of reptiles, mammals, birds and invertebrates. We have project opportunities focused on each animal group. Data will be collected from sites previously established in western Victoria and eastern South Australia as part of the larger project. Fire, Landscape Pattern & Biodiversity: "Fire and the ecology of flying insects" Please contact Alan for further information. Flying insects (e.g. butterflies, moths, beetles, flies) are an important part of forest ecosystems. They contribute to ecosystem function through services such as pollination, provide a large food resource for vertebrate fauna, and are extremely interesting in their own right. This project will examine how fire affects the abundance and community composition of flying insects. Fieldwork will be conducted in the beautiful Otway Ranges and forms part of a larger project examining the impacts of fire on micro-bats. Coursework subjects
If you are interested in pursuing Masters or Graduate-Diploma level coursework subjects in fire-related disciplines, more information is available here.
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Volunteering
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Most of our research involves fieldwork and a range of volunteer opportunities are available, particularly during spring and autumn. Currently we are working in the Otway Ranges, the Central Highlands and the heathy woodlands of SW Victoria and SE South Australia. Over the next 6 months need help for:
Experience isn't essential but we prefer week-long commitments, and reasonable fitness is required for walking to sites over steep, rough terrain. Tolerance for early starts, leeches, March flies, ticks and mosquitoes (not normally all at once!) is an advantage. We have well-stocked first aid kits and are first aid trained. We provide food and accommodation. If you are interested in helping out, please fill out the form below. |
