The ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies is seeking applications from exceptional students to enroll in a PhD under the supervision of leading researchers at its four nodes around Australia (James Cook University, the Australian National University, the University of Queensland and the University of Western Australia).
The scholarship cycle in Australia is on a calendar basis with closing dates for international and domestic applications between August and October; both with an expected starting date for successful applicants at the beginning of the following year. Suitable applicants will be required to go through a formal application at the relevant University and, if successful, will be awarded a scholarship and tuition waiver. Depending on the University and supervisor, there may be the possibility, in the case of outstanding applicants, for a top-up to their scholarship. To be competitive for a scholarship and fee waiver, applicants must have an Honours degree or Masters degree, preferably with a publication if you are international.
Many student applicants come with scholarships from another funding source such as granting agencies in their home country. We are happy to deal with these applications at any time of the year. Acceptance is dependent on the applicant meeting our academic criteria, has been accepted by a suitable supervisor and meets the language requirements.
The following leading researchers in the Centre have expressed an interest in recruiting new exceptional PhD students. Their email addresses and areas of interest for research projects are listed below. If you are interested, please contact one of the following to discuss opportunities.
Conservation Planning
Coral Reef Ecology
Ecological Modelling
Environmental Governance
Human Dimensions and Social-Ecological Systems
Coral Reef Ecology and Biology
Ocean Acidification and Climate Change
Reef Fish Ecology and Climate Change
Ocean Acidification and Climate Change
Professor Malcolm McCulloch
Email: malcolm.mcCulloch@uwa.edu.au
My research program focusses on the response of corals to climate change and ocean acidification. Students with a background in geochemistry and biochemistry are especially encouraged to discuss research opportunities.
- Quantifying biogenic controls on coral calcification in an acidifying ocean
- Growth and survival of coral at their extreme limits
- Long-term coral proxy records of climate change including ocean acidification, ocean warming and river runoff.
- Role of local versus regional drivers on coral reef ecosystems
ACTIVELY RECRUITING FOR A FULLY FUNDED PhD SCHOLARSHIP: Climate Change in the Deep Oceans. For more information and to apply click here. Preferred commencement before June 2021.
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Coral Reef Oceanography
Professor Ryan Lowe
Email: Ryan.Lowe@uwa.edu.au
My research focuses on how ocean dynamics shape coral reef systems, using a combination of field studies and numerical modelling. Students with quantitative backgrounds in oceanography, the geosciences, or related fields are especially encouraged to discuss research opportunities.
- Hydrodynamics of coral reef systems
- Process-based modelling studies of reef dynamics
- Biophysical interactions within coral reefs
- Coral reef carbonate budgets and response to environmental change
- Mechanisms of coral reef connectivity
- Tropical cyclone impacts on reefs
- Downscaling ocean climate change to local reefs
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Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics
Professor David Miller
Email: david.miller@jcu.edu.au
- Molecular mechanisms of immunity and disease in corals
- Coral – microbe interactions, particularly mechanisms by which corals manipulate associated bacteria
- Developmental biology and metamorphosis in soft and hard corals
- The molecular mechanisms of calcification in corals, octocorals and calcareous sponges
- Comparative genomics of corals and other “lower” animals
- Stress responses and epigenetics of hard and soft corals
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Conservation Planning
Professor Bob Pressey
Email: bob.pressey@jcu.edu.au
- Design of marine protected areas and use-zones within them
- Implementation requirements for turning conservation plans into conservation action: social, economic and political considerations
- Testing the effectiveness of marine habitats as surrogates for species distributions
- Planning to promote the persistence of ecological processes, including dispersal of larvae between reefs and patch dynamics of disturbance and resources
- Integrated conservation planning for coastal catchments and near-shore marine areas
- Improved ways of incorporating social and economic considerations into planning decisions
- Explaining and predicting reserve management costs from internal and external drivers
- Measuring the impact (difference made) by conservation reserves
Dr Alana Grech
Email: alana.grech@jcu.edu.au
- Spatial planning and coastal management
- Cumulative impact and risk assessments
- Biophysical modelling of marine plant dispersal and connectivity
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Coral Reef Ecology
Professor David Bellwood
Email: david.bellwood@jcu.edu.au
- Evolution and ecology of reef fishes.
- The global biogeography of coral reef species
- Developing new technologies for coral reef regeneration and recovery
- Understanding the importance of biodiversity on coral reefs
- Identifying critical ecosystem processes on coral reefs
- Evaluating the role of herbivorous fishes in reef systems
- Understanding direct human impacts and climate change on ecosystem processes
- Using fossils and phylogenies to unravel the evolution of reef fishes
Dr Andrew Hoey
Email: andrew.hoey1@jcu.edu.au
- Resilience and recovery of reef systems
- The role of macroalgae and ecological feedbacks in reef dynamics
- Anthropogenic and climate change effects on ecosystem function
- Biology, ecology and role of herbivorous fishes on coral reefs
- Effects of temperature on reef processes
Professor Peter Mumby
Email: p.j.mumby@uq.edu.au
- Coral reef resilience
- Marine reserve design
- Management of reef fisheries and their productivity
- Climate change impacts on ecosystem function
- Mapping ecosystem services
- Modelling coral reef futures with different management scenarios
Professor John Pandolfi
Email: j.pandolfi@uq.edu.au
- Effects of climate change on tropical and sub-tropical coral reefs
- Ecological dynamics of coral reef ecosystems over broad spatial and temporal scales
- Uncovering shifting baselines to guide reef management actions
- Historical ecology of fishing in Australia
- The origins and evolutionary turnover of Indo-Pacific reef biodiversity
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Ecological Modelling
Professor Peter Mumby
Email: p.j.mumby@uq.edu.au
- Future dynamics of coral reefs under climate change and role of management interventions
- Ecosystem function and ecosystem services
- Coral reef resilience. Enquiries to Professor Mumby regarding a PhD scholarship are welcome
Professor Graeme Cumming
Email: graeme.cumming@jcu.edu.au
- Ecosystem structure-process relationships, spatial resilience, and collapse
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Environmental Governance
Associate Professor Tiffany Morrison
Email: tiffany.morrison@jcu.edu.au
- Quantitative and qualitative analysis of the political dynamics of large scale governance systems
- Longitudinal transformation of large-scale governance systems in tropical, coastal and marine regions
- The role of large organisations (public, private, non-profit) in transformative governance
- Adaptation of governance to large-scale crisis
Dr. Michele Barnes
Email: Michele.barnes@jcu.edu.au
- Social networks, social capital, and environmental outcomes
- Social-ecological networks
- Adaptation, transformation, and multi-level resilience
- Inequality, power, and sociocultural diversity in coastal communities
Professor Graeme Cumming
Email: mailto:graeme.cumming@jcu.edu.au
- Landscape ecology of institutions
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Human Dimensions and Social-Ecological Systems
Dr. Michele Barnes
Email: Michele.barnes@jcu.edu.au
- Social networks, social capital, and environmental outcomes
- Social-ecological networks
- Adaptation, transformation, and multi-level resilience
- Inequality, power, and sociocultural diversity in coastal communities
Professor Graeme Cumming
Email: graeme.cumming@jcu.edu.au
- Modelling coral reef-associated social-ecological systems and their resilience
- Quantitative analysis of social-ecological collapse
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Coral Biology and Ecology
Professor Andrew Baird
Email: andrew.baird@jcu.edu.au
- Coral life histories
- Coral systematics
Dr Mia Hoogenboom
Email: mia.hoogenboom1@jcu.edu.au
- Impacts of climate change on corals and reefs
- Ecological modelling: from individuals to ecosystems
- Effects of pollution on reef organisms
- Trait-based approaches to understanding coral communities
- Ecosystem function of corals
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Ocean Acidification and Climate Change
Professor Malcolm McCulloch
Email: malcolm.mcCulloch@uwa.edu.au
My research program focusses on the response of corals to climate change and ocean acidification. Students with a background in geochemistry and biochemistry are especially encouraged to discuss research opportunities.
- Quantifying biogenic controls on coral calcification in an acidifying ocean
- Growth and survival of coral at their extreme limits
- Long-term coral proxy records of climate change including ocean acidification, ocean warming and river runoff.
- Role of local versus regional drivers on coral reef ecosystems
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Reef Fish Ecology and Climate Change
Professor Geoff Jones
Email: geoffrey.jones@jcu.edu.au
- Connectivity of reef fish populations
- Influence of habitat loss on threatened reef fishes
- Behavioural ecology of coral reef fishes
- Role of marine reserves in biodiversity conservation and fisheries
- Coral reef conservation in the coral triangle
Professor Mark McCormick
Email: mark.mccormick@jcu.edu.au
- Climate Change and the Demography of Reef Fish Assemblages
Professor Garry Russ
Email: garry.russ@jcu.edu.au
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