PhD projects available in the Cetacean Ecology Group (Dunlop lab and Noad lab) at the University of Queensland, Australia The Cetacean Ecology Group currently has three PhD project available to commence mid-2023 or early 2024. The Cetacean Ecology Group is comprised of two labs headed by Assoc. Prof. Rebecca Dunlop and Prof. Michael Noad. The two labs are based at the St Lucia campus (Brisbane) and at the Moreton Bay Research Station (MBRS) at Dunwich on North Stradbroke Is (Minjerribah) near Brisbane. The University of Queensland (UQ) is routinely listed in the top 50 or so universities in the world and has one of the largest marine science programs in Australia. We value a team-based approach, where supervisors and researchers work effectively together on various projects. We also value gender equity and cultural diversity within the labs. As part of the labs' PhD programme, we offer experience in field data collection, collecting and analysis of underwater acoustic data, grant and report writing, and statistical data analysis. We are also able to offer students industry placements, where we encourage and support students to gain real-world experience. Our labs provide a challenging, but impactful, PhD experience.
Humpback whale communication behaviour project in the Dunlop lab The Dunlop lab is seeking applicants for one PhD position. The Dunlop Lab has a primarily focus on cetacean acoustic behaviour and communication, the effects of anthropogenic noise on marine mammals, and cetacean physiology. We are seeking an enthusiastic and capable student with strong interests in animal acoustic communication and cognition. This PhD will be part of a larger study on the effects of anthropogenic noise on humpback whale communication. Applicants should therefore have a background and general interest in animal communication, behaviour and cognition and should hold an honours degree or masters degree (or equivalent). Background Humpback whales are renowned for their complex communication repertoire. A previous study (project BRAHSS; https://www.brahss.org.au), led by UQ, Curtin University, and the University of Sydney, found that humpback whales changed their migratory behaviour in response to the noise from seismic air guns. However, less is known about how they might change their communication behaviour in response to these sounds. The PhD project will measure if, and how, humpback whale groups change their communication behaviour in the presence of natural noise (wind, singing whales, snapping shrimp), potential predators (killer whales) and anthropogenic noise sources (air guns, large vessels). It also will determine the potential active space of their non-song vocal sounds and surface-generated sounds and model the decrease in this space with various sources of noise to determine the likelihood of signal masking. You will use data already collected on humpback whale responses to conspecific sounds and air gun sounds (project BRAHSS) with a chance to develop your own research proposal and apply for further funding. In addition, you will be part of the HHARC (Hearing in Humpbacks Acoustic Research Collaboration) project field effort (2021 - 2024) to collect further data on humpback responses to 'tones' and 'killer whale sounds' (Peregian Beach field site). For further information on the field site and earlier studies see previous publications from the group. Results will extend our knowledge of the effects of various anthropogenic, and natural, noise sources on large whale communication behaviour. Ultimately, this will help make improvements to ocean policy aimed at mitigating the negative effects of anthropogenic noise on large whales. For this PhD, the applicant's background should be in biology and/or ecology with quantitative training and experience preferred (e.g., in R). You should also have experience in scientific writing (preferably as an author on a peer reviewed publication) and be able to produce a sample of your writing, be able to demonstrate a sound knowledge of hypothesis testing and experimental design and have some experience in data processing and analysis. Song PhD projects in the Noad lab Humpback whales produce the most complex acoustic display known of any animal. Not only are the songs complex and structured, but the patterns of the song change rapidly. In any given population at any given time, the whales sing similar songs, using the same or similar sounds arranged into phrases and themes in a similar manner to each other. Over time, however, the pattern changes with all the singing whales making the same changes to their songs so as to maintain population-wide conformity. This constant process of change is known as 'song evolution'. In some populations, very large changes can occur in songs very quickly, usually due to a new song being introduced from a neighbouring population, and these events are known as 'song revolutions' to distinguish them from evolutions. Only males sing and do so predominantly during the breeding season. This means that songs are almost certainly used as sexual displays as are the songs used by many species of birds. The precise function, however, remains elusive with evidence for both intra- and inter-sexual roles. Although the constantly changing nature of humpback whale songs has been known for some time, the details of how and why the songs change are also not understood. The Noad lab (https://researchers.uq.edu.au/researcher/1028) is currently offering two PhD projects on song change in humpback whales that will help establish, in different ways, the 'how' and the 'why'. Both PhDs would be co-supervised by Assoc. Prof. Rebecca Dunlop (https://researchers.uq.edu.au/researcher/1334) who has expertise in humpback whale acoustic and social behaviour. Variability in humpback whales' songs While humpback whales in any one population usually conform to a particular song type or pattern, when individual songs are examined in detail, variations can be found. While consistent variance among singers might be used as 'signature information', variation also occurs within many singers, from song to song and even phrase to phrase, and so is inconsistent and unlikely to be useful for this. Why then do whales vary the structures of their songs? One possibility is that this may, at least partly, be due to social context. Another is that noise may play a role. Variance may also be due to whales improvising, creating small novelties that may be associated with fitness. This PhD will examine individual variance in the songs of east Australian humpback whales and attempt to ascertain the main reasons for variance. This knowledge will create a much better understanding of the origins and importance of variance, and ultimately how this variance may fuel novelties in songs and rapid song evolution. This PhD would suit a student with a background in animal behaviour or ecology. No previous experience in acoustics is necessary but would be preferred. Models of social learning in humpback whales Core to humpback whale song is the idea of social learning, where animals learn behaviours from each other. While there are many examples of animal social learning, few are as rapid and complex as the learning of new songs. While we can easily record and listen to the results of this extraordinary feat of social learning, the underlying process itself is hidden due to it being impossible to study individual whales over extended periods. One powerful way to study invisible processes is through modelling. Agent-based (or individual-based) models have been used in biology for a few decades to study complex systems, especially when the actions of individual animals (agents) can give rise to complex 'emergent' population level behaviours or characteristics. While agent-based models of humpback whales have been developed previously to address some questions of social learning, these have either not produced the emergent qualities needed (songs that conform within a population, but which change over time) or they have been at very broad scales without spatial or behavioural realism. This PhD will involve developing a new agent-based model (ABM) based on the east Australian migratory corridor, and its neighbouring populations (west Australian, Oceanian). The model would be used to study social learning rates, impacts of population level on social learning under different migratory scenarios, and, in a link with the other PhD on offer, would also be able to explore the development of individual variability and its role in driving song change. This PhD would either suit someone with a background in animal behaviour or ecology that was interested in developing coding skills, or someone with a background in modelling and coding with an interest in learning about humpback whales and social learning. Applying for the positions To apply for any of these PhD position, applicants should send a cover letter to both Rebecca Dunlop r.dun...@uq.edu.au<mailto:r.dun...@uq.edu.au> and Michael Noad m.n...@uq.edu.au<mailto:m.n...@uq.edu.au> . Applicants should indicate which project they are interested in (it could be more than one but please indicate first preference). They should include why they would like to undertake the project, a summary of their relevant qualifications and experience (including their response to the criteria outlined above), and information on their status as a domestic (Australian or New Zealand) or international applicant. They should also include a CV and a copy of their academic transcript/record. Emails should have the subject "PhD EOI" followed by the applicant's surname and an indication of their first preference project (e.g. "PhD EOI Smith song variation"). Strong applicants will be interviewed (by zoom). If successful, applicants will then be put forward to the University to compete for a scholarship which will fully cover tuition and pay a living stipend. For domestic applicants, candidates must demonstrate a strong academic background (usually first class hons or equivalent) as well as some research experience. If successful, they will start in mid-2023 or the beginning of 2024. For international applicants, candidates must have a strong academic background, research experience, and at least one first-authored publication in a peer-reviewed journal. Given the competition for UQ international scholarships, these criteria must be met for the application to be progressed. The scholarship process timeline means, if successful, they will start at the beginning of 2024. Applications close 28 February 2023. Associate Professor Rebecca Dunlop BSc(Hons) PhD Lecturer in Animal Behaviour and Physiology Chair of the Faculty of Science Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee School of Biological Sciences University of Queensland Australia Ph: +61 7 3443 2028 Email: r.dun...@uq.edu.au<mailto:r.dun...@uq.edu.au> Prof. Michael Noad BVSc(Hons) Qld PhD Sydney Director, Centre for Marine Science Professor, School of Veterinary Science The University of Queensland - Gatton campus Gatton Qld 4343 Australia M +61 416 270 567 E mn...@uq.edu.au<mailto:mn...@uq.edu.au> W https://marine.uq.edu.au/ https://www.uq.edu.au/moreton-bay-research-station/ CRICOS 00025B * TEQSA PRV12080 [UQ own unknown w diver banner]
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