Dear colleagues, We wanted to let you know of an exciting PhD opportunity to study the conservation status and population dynamics of Australia's endangered southern right whales through the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) of the University of Tasmania in Hobart. IMAS has a strong reputation in Fisheries and Aquaculture, Ecology and Biodiversity, and Oceans and Cryosphere with cross-disciplinary themes of Climate Change. Critical to this project will be an understanding of how climate change has and likely will impact upon the recovery of this species.
Project title: Population Dynamics of Right Whales<https://www.utas.edu.au/research/degrees/available-projects/projects/marine-and-antarctic/population-dynamics-of-right-whales?fbclid=IwAR3cNET0TSoy9PuHwTrEa-bhaN-lHtbjnsxtbXb07WyJQ74dqb7Kxleqi_A> This PhD project will utilise a long-term program (over four decades) of annual aerial survey data on Australia's southern right whale population that was initiated and maintained by the late John Bannister since the mid 1970's. The successful candidate will contribute to the curation, analysis, and publication of the southern right whale aerial survey dataset and strongly collaborate with the Australian and international southern right whale research community on ongoing research into Australian southern right whale population dynamics and potential impacts from climate change on southern right whales. The candidate will: - conduct time series analysis of the aerial survey count data to determine long-term population trends and associated variability; - assess methods to estimate population size and estimate change in the spatial distribution of sightings over the survey period; - determine whether oceanographic conditions on Southern Ocean summer feeding grounds correlate with annual calving rates by developing past climate histories in likely foraging areas; and, - assess the utility of satellite imagery to complement or replace annual aerial surveys for annual censuses of right whales in southern Australia. 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 of $31,500 per annum (2023 rate, indexed annually) 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) If successful, international applicants will receive a University of Tasmania Fees Offset for up to four years. Furthermore, applicants will also be considered for an additional generous top-up by the John L Bannister Memorial Top-Up Scholarship of $7,500 per annum for 3.5 years, if successful. This scholarship is funded from the John L Bannister Memorial. 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 quantitative skills - Experience with programming languages analysis and display software, such as python, R or Matlab. Additional desirable selection criteria specific to this project: - Experience with image processing software - Understanding of Southern Ocean ecosystem dynamics - Understanding of Southern Ocean physical processes Application process - Full details of the application process can be found at the UTAS website for the Project<https://www.utas.edu.au/research/degrees/available-projects/projects/marine-and-antarctic/population-dynamics-of-right-whales?fbclid=IwAR3cNET0TSoy9PuHwTrEa-bhaN-lHtbjnsxtbXb07WyJQ74dqb7Kxleqi_A> - Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship; - Contact the Primary Supervisor Dr Stuart Corney (stuart.cor...@utas.edu.au<mailto:stuart.cor...@utas.edu.au>) to discuss your suitability and the project's requirements; and 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. - Apply prior to 25 September 2023. The Project team consists: Dr Stuart Corney, Dr Mike Double, Dr Virginia Andrews-Goff, Dr Madeleine Brasier, Dr Joshua Smith and strong collaborations with the Great Australian Bight Right Whale Study and Dr Claire Charlton. Project link: (https://www.utas.edu.au/research/degrees/available-projects/projects/marine-and-antarctic/population-dynamics-of-right-whales?fbclid=IwAR3cNET0TSoy9PuHwTrEa-bhaN-lHtbjnsxtbXb07WyJQ74dqb7Kxleqi_A) Regards Dr Joshua Smith Senior Research Fellow Murdoch University
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