Degree type
PhD
Closing date
1 April 2025
Campus
Hobart
Citizenship requirement
Domestic / International
Scholarship
$33,511pa + top-up $2.100pa for 3.5 years
About the research project
The Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle (TWTE), an endangered top predator endemic to Tasmania, faces threats from habitat loss, low breeding success, and high mortality. Current research is providing valuable information on TWTE behaviour, demography of the population, and the magnitude of anthropogenic impacts. However, there remains a gap in our knowledge of how eagles respond to a wide range of disturbances and human activities related to land use. This is important because while the TWTE appears to be highly sensitive to disturbance, behavioural responses to specific disturbances are poorly known, and it is not clear how these responses affect population viability.
This PhD project, funded by The Wedge-tailed Eagle Research Fund (NRM South), will explore how TWTEs respond to various human activities. It will focus on GPS tracking of adult eagles and field experiments to assess the impact of disturbances on their behaviour and breeding success.
The project aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how eagles react to human activities and land use, addressing key questions such as:
- What are the current methods available for monitoring wildlife disturbance?
- How is TWTE habitat selection affected by human activities and land-use intensity?
- How does operation of helicopters affect the behaviour of TWTEs?
- How is the behaviour of TWTEs, including time spent at the nest during breeding, affected by vehicle traffic?
- What is the relationship between nest attendance, revealed by GPS tracking, and nest success?
It is expected that this PhD project will identify novel methods for measuring wildlife disturbance, providing valuable insights into how human activities affect species like the TWTE. The findings will be applicable to other wildlife systems globally, helping to address the growing issue of disturbance and its impact on biodiversity and ecosystem health worldwide.
Primary Supervisor
Funding
The successful applicant will receive a scholarship which provides:
- a living allowance stipend funded by NRM South of $33,511 per annum (2025 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.
Additional funding
If successful, applicants will also receive a top-up scholarship of $2,100 per annum for 3.5 years. This scholarship is funded from NRM South.
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:
- Applicants must be able to undertake the project on-campus
- Applicants must already have been awarded a First-Class Honours or Masters degree in a relevant discipline (with at least 6 months full time research thesis component, and mark >75%) or relevant and substantial research experience in an appropriate sector (See: https://www.utas.edu.au/research/degrees/what-is-a-research-degree)
- The degree must be undertaken on a full-time basis
- Applicants must be able to demonstrate strong research and analytical skills
- Applicants must meet English requirements or be able to do so before commencement
- Applications are open to Domestic and International applicants
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:
- A good understanding in the fields of animal behaviour and quantitative ecology
- Ability to conduct field work in remote locations
- Ability to work with large data sets
- Ability to develop mathematical models and coding in R
- Ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary team
- Current driver's licence
Additional desirable selection criteria specific to this project:
- Experience with 4WD and remote field work
- Demonstrate strong academic performance in subjects relevant to behavioural ecology and conservation biology
- Experience in working with telemetry data
- Experience with quantitative analyses of animal behaviour and wildlife telemetry
Application process
- Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
- Contact Dr James Pay 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 April 2025.
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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