PhD opportunity: Rehabilitating landscapes by restoring digging mammals

The Ecosystem Restoration and Intervention Ecology research group (ERIE; 
http://www.erie-research.org/) at The University of Western Australia is 
seeking 
applications from highly qualified and motivated candidates for a PhD program 
investigating the restoration of habitats through the reintroduction of native 
digging 
mammals.  The successful student will work as part of a team within the ERIE 
group, 
and in conjunction with government and non-government conservation agencies.
Mammals that dig for food or create burrows have the ability to alter their 
environment.  
The digging actions of some mammals have been linked with altered soil 
properties, 
microhabitat resources and seedling recruitment, with many digging mammals 
being 
considered ecosystem engineers.  In Australia, the majority of digging mammals 
have 
suffered widespread declines and the loss of digging mammals has been linked 
with 
deterioration in ecosystem function of landscapes.  Where digging mammals have 
been 
reintroduced into predator-proof sanctuaries, their foraging or burrowing 
activities are 
associated with the restoration of ecosystem processes.  The main aims of this 
project 
are to i) further investigate the ecosystem engineering capabilities of Western 
Australia’s threatened digging mammals; and, ii) to examine whether the 
reintroduction 
of previously abundant digging mammals can assist in the restoration of 
landscape 
processes.
The student will be supervised by IAS Distinguished Fellow Professor Richard 
Hobbs 
and Dr Leonie Valentine at The University of Western Australia; and be part of 
the 
National Environmental Science Programme's Threatened Species Recovery Hub 
(NESP 
– TSR).
Funding
This project is funded with a UWA PhD Scholarship (AUD$26,682 p.a.) and a NESP –
TSR top-up scholarship ($7,000 p.a.) tax free in fortnightly instalments for 3 
years.  
UWA provides funding for research activities ($2,500 p.a.) and students are 
encouraged to seek additional research funds by applying for student grants. 
Eligibility 
The successful candidate will have a background in ecology and conservation 
biology 
or environmental science and will be capable of collecting high-quality field 
data. We 
are looking for a candidate who is enthusiastic and driven, wants to work as 
part of a 
collaborative, interdisciplinary team, but with the ability to work 
independently when 
required. Excellent academic results and existing publications are desirable, 
but not 
essential. The following eligibility criteria apply to this scholarship:
        The scholarship is open to Australian and International candidates.
        Applicants must hold a Bachelors degree with honours or a research 
Masters 
degree or be able to demonstrate relevant and substantial research experience 
in a 
comparable field.
        Applicants must be able to demonstrate knowledge of field research, 
including the 
ability to independently plan and execute field-based research. 
        Demonstrated high level communication skills (written and oral) and 
analytical 
skills are desirable.
How to apply 
Interested individuals are invited to discuss the project with Dr Leonie 
Valentine 
(leonie.valent...@uwa.edu.au) and Prof. Richard Hobbs 
(richard.ho...@uwa.edu.au) 
in the first instance, before the UWA closing date.  Applicants are asked to 
submit a 
CV, academic transcript and a short letter outlining their suitability for the 
project.  The 
candidate will be expected to commence the doctoral program in mid-late 2017 
(negotiable). 
UWA Closing date: 31st May 2017; visit http://www.scholarships.uwa.edu.au/ for 
more 
information

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