Degree type
PhD
Closing date
1 October 2024
Campus
Hobart
Citizenship requirement
Domestic / International
About the research project
Human-mediated disturbances are increasing in both frequency and severity. The impacts of these disturbances go beyond direct impacts on individual organisms to disrupt key species interactions that underpin ecosystem structure and function. Understanding the disruption to species interactions caused by disturbance, and the consequences of these disruptions for species' population persistence, is key to predicting the winners and losers of changing disturbance regimes.
For plant species, reciprocally beneficial interactions with other organisms (mutualisms) are often essential for survival, growth and reproduction. Plant species that successfully form mutualisms can show enhanced fitness relative to other plant species in the community. However, while mutualistic interactions can buffer plant species against disturbance, they are also costly to maintain. In some circumstances, such as under changed environmental conditions, the costs of maintaining mutualisms may outweigh the benefits. Differences among plant species in their reliance on mutualists and ability to balance the costs relative to benefits engaging in mutualisms may predict the extent to which they are resilient or sensitive to disturbance.
This project will focus on interactions between plant species and important symbiotic soil mutualists to identify:
- How the costs and benefits of mutualism shift under different disturbance regimes;
- Whether the degree to which plant species rely on the symbionts influences their sensitivity to disturbance;
- Whether this knowledge can help predict the species most resilient and most sensitive to extreme disturbance (i.e. the winners and losers).
The candidate will be based at the University Tasmania in Hobart, supervised by Dr Lizzie Wandrag, A/Prof Sue Baker, and Prof Mark Hovenden, and benefitting from integration into long-term research projects within Tasmanian forests.
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Primary Supervisor
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 $32,192 per annum (2024 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.
As part of the application process you may indicate if you do not wish to be considered for scholarship funding.
Other funding opportunities and fees
For further information regarding other scholarships on offer, and the various fees of undertaking a research degree, please visit Scholarships and fees.
Eligibility
Applicants should review the Higher Degree by Research minimum entry requirements.
Ensure your eligibility for the scholarship round by referring to our Key Dates.
Additional eligibility criteria specific to this project/scholarship:
- Open to applications from ecology, biology, plant science, soil science, agriculture, environmental science or related disciplines only.
- Applicants must be able to undertake the project on-campus
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:
- Ability to work in the field.
Additional desirable selection criteria specific to this project:
- Basic plant identification skills.
- Microbial ecology.
- Working with plant roots (e.g. root staining)
- Proven fieldwork experiences.
- Ability to code in R.
Application process
- Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
- Contact Dr Lizzie Wandrag 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 1 October 2024.
Full details of the application process can be found under the 'How to apply' section at Research degrees.
Following the closing date applications will be assessed within the College. Applicants should expect to receive notification of the outcome by email by the advertised outcome date.
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