Diet Composition and Nutritional Ecology of Koalas in NSW

This project offers an exciting opportunity for an inquisitive and engaged candidate to make a substantial contribution to understanding the role of nutritional ecology in driving koala population dynamics throughout New South Wales. The candidate will be based at the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Richmond, but will be expected to undertake fieldwork throughout New South Wales. A key focus of this project will be the application of our novel SNP-based faecal diet composition analysis method to describe koala diets from six populations throughout the state. In addition, by conducting controlled feeding trials with captive koalas, the student will validate the method and improve our understanding of inherent biases caused by varying leaf traits of different koala food tree species. Alongside diet composition analysis, the project will develop and test new metrics of foliar nutritional quality, with an emphasis on leaf digestibility, cell wall composition and energy yield. Because this project forms part of the broader NSW Sentinel Koala Monitoring Program, the project also offers opportunities for the student to integrate knowledge gained about diet composition with other aspects of koala ecology, according to this candidate’s interests and skills. These areas include: analysis of associated koala and/or eucalypt genomic data; patterns of koala movement ecology and habitat use; and hormonal metrics of energy expenditure and nutritional stress. The NSW Sentinel Koala Monitoring Program is monitoring the health, movement and vital rates of six koala populations with an aim of characterising the roles of disease, genetics, climate, habitat quality and nutrition in driving population dynamics. This project addresses a key part of that program and will develop and refine new scatbased metrics that can be deployed widely in ongoing monitoring efforts to understand and manage the recovery of koalas in New South Wales.

WHAT DOES THE SCHOLARSHIP PROVIDE?

• Domestic candidates will receive a tax-free stipend of $32,192 (AUD) per annum for up to 3.5 years to support living costs, supported by the Research Training Program (RTP) Fee Offset.
• International candidates will receive a tax-free stipend of $32,192 (AUD) per annum for up to 3.5 years to support living costs. Those with a strong track record will be eligible for a tuition fee waiver.
• Support will be provided for conference attendance, fieldwork and additional costs as approved by the Institute.
• International candidates are required to hold an Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) insurance policy for the duration of their study in Australia. This cost is not covered by the scholarship.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

We welcome applicants from a range of backgrounds, who are keen to apply their skills to key issues in ecology and wildlife conservation. In particular, the project is suitable for candidates with strong interests in nutritional, molecular and chemical ecology.

The successful applicant should:

Hold qualifications and experience equal to one of the following (i) an Australian First Class Bachelor (Honours) degree, (ii) coursework Masters with at least 25% research component, (iii) Research Masters degree, or (iv) equivalent overseas qualifications.

• Demonstrate strong academic performance in subjects relevant to ecology, and ideally molecular biology and animal nutrition.
• Have an understanding of the importance of nutrition to herbivores and their conservation.
• Be willing to learn analytical techniques applicable to molecular analysis of diet composition and chemical analysis of plant nutritional quality.
• Be enthusiastic and highly motivated to undertake further study at an advanced level.

International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency

HOW TO APPLY

Complete the application via the link : https://tinyurl.com/2xfvv6h2

• Review the project’s eligibility criteria. You will need to provide in your application a document which explains how you satisfy the projects eligibility criteria.
• Contact the lead researcher listed to discuss your eligibility, the project’s requirements and your intention to apply. You should email them to introduce yourself, describe your qualifications and experience, and express your interest in their research project. If they are interested, you may want to arrange a phone call, video call or meeting to discuss your application. You will need to request a letter of support from the lead researcher to support your application for the scholarship.
• Submit an online application for the project via the Online Portal. You do not need to submit an application for Doctor of Philosophy or Research Scholarship.

Incomplete applications or applications that do not conform to the above requirements will not be considered.

For questions and advice about the research project, please contact the Lead Researcher; Assoc. Prof. Ben Moore: B.Moore@westernsydney.edu.au

For questions and advice about the scholarship application process, please submit your scholarship enquiry:

• Currently enrolled WSU HDR candidate, please submit your enquiry here
• Not currently enrolled WSU HDR candidate, please submit your enquiry here

Use the email subject line: Application PS2024_072_HIE

Closing date: 30 November 2024

*Applications close at 11.59pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT).