2 x PhD positions in Fish and Fisheries Ecology

2 x PhD positions in Fish and Fisheries Ecology

Perth, Western Australia Full Time

Fish and fisheries ecology of culturally important ‘Saltwater’ resources in the Kimberley region of Western Australia

We are seeking two PhD candidates to work on projects in collaboration with Traditional Owners and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) to address knowledge gaps relating to fish and fisheries ecology in two regions to commence in the second half of 2025 :

2. The Buccaneer Archipelago

Projects will be co-designed in collaboration with Traditional Owners and government fisheries scientists to address knowledge gaps relating to management and sustainability of fish and fisheries resources including culturally significant species; commercially and recreationally harvested species; and endangered, threatened and protected species. The successful candidates will have the opportunity to develop a project on a broad range of topics and processes relating to fish and fisheries ecology centred around ongoing projects in each of the regions.

The aims of the project are to :

I. Evaluate the extent and drivers of spatiotemporal patterns in distribution of fish and elasmobranchs in Roebuck Bay,

II. Identify and characterise habitats for fish and elasmobranchs within Roebuck Bay, and

III. Assess overlap with potential pressures within Roebuck Bay.

Requirements

Applicants must have obtained a First Class Honours or Masters degree, or the equivalent qualifications, in an appropriate area of science (e.g., marine ecology, marine science, marine biology).

Ability to use R (or other coding software) for data exploration and statistical analyses.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Capacity to undertake fieldwork at remote locations for up to 3 months each year, and a willingness to carry out physically demanding work in challenging environments (e.g. high temperatures and humidity, or at sea).

Experience working in cross-cultural environments.

Experience in animal movement research (e.g., biotelemetry, biologging)

Experience in Spatial Analyses (e.g. habitat suitability modelling)

Experience in analysis of Baited Remote Underwater Video Systems data (e.g., Event Measure, Multivariate analyses)

Letter of application (2 pages maximum; addressing the entry requirements and selection criteria above, outlining your academic interests, prior research experience, and reasons for wishing to undertake the project).

Sample of academic writing (e.g. thesis excerpt, publication)

CV, including contact details for two referees familiar with your recent academic work.

Applications for both projects will remain open until a successful candidate is recruited. Start date is negotiable, however there will be a strong preference for candidates available to commence in 2025.

Job Details

Fish and fisheries ecology of culturally important ‘Saltwater’ resources in the Kimberley region of Western Australia

We are seeking two PhD candidates to work on projects in collaboration with Traditional Owners and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) to address knowledge gaps relating to fish and fisheries ecology in two regions to commence in the second half of 2025 :

1. Yawuru Nagulagun / Roebuck Bay

2. The Buccaneer Archipelago

Projects will be co-designed in collaboration with Traditional Owners and government fisheries scientists to address knowledge gaps relating to management and sustainability of fish and fisheries resources including culturally significant species; commercially and recreationally harvested species; and endangered, threatened and protected species. The successful candidates will have the opportunity to develop a project on a broad range of topics and processes relating to fish and fisheries ecology centred around ongoing projects in each of the regions.

The aims of the project are to :

I. Evaluate the extent and drivers of spatiotemporal patterns in distribution of fish and elasmobranchs in Roebuck Bay,

II. Identify and characterise habitats for fish and elasmobranchs within Roebuck Bay, and

III. Assess overlap with potential pressures within Roebuck Bay.

Requirements

Essential criteria

Applicants must have obtained a First Class Honours or Masters degree, or the equivalent qualifications, in an appropriate area of science (e.g., marine ecology, marine science, marine biology).

Ability to use R (or other coding software) for data exploration and statistical analyses.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Capacity to undertake fieldwork at remote locations for up to 3 months each year, and a willingness to carry out physically demanding work in challenging environments (e.g. high temperatures and humidity, or at sea).

Full driving licence

If English is not your first language, you will need to meet the required level as per our guidance at https : / / www.murdoch.edu.au / study / how-to-apply / entry-requirements / english-proficiency-tests

Desirable criteria

Experience working in cross-cultural environments.

Experience in animal movement research (e.g., biotelemetry, biologging)

Experience in Spatial Analyses (e.g. habitat suitability modelling)

Experience in analysis of Baited Remote Underwater Video Systems data (e.g., Event Measure, Multivariate analyses)

Experience in Machine Learning

Coxswain Grade 3 or higher.

Contact Information

Harry Butler Institute

https : / / www.peaclab.org / post / phd-opportunities-x-2

How to apply and important dates

Applications are open to Domestic candidates only. Submit an Expression of Interest as a single PDF file to Adrian Gleiss ( a.gleiss@murdoch.edu.au ) and Alastair Harry ( alastair.harry@dpird.wa.gov.au ), including the following :

Letter of application (2 pages maximum; addressing the entry requirements and selection criteria above, outlining your academic interests, prior research experience, and reasons for wishing to undertake the project).

Sample of academic writing (e.g. thesis excerpt, publication)

CV, including contact details for two referees familiar with your recent academic work.

Applications for both projects will remain open until a successful candidate is recruited. Start date is negotiable, however there will be a strong preference for candidates available to commence in 2025.

Post Date : 6 / 20 / 2025 8 : 57 : 34 AM

Closing Date : 7 / 4 / 2025 12 : 00 : 00 AM

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About this company

Murdoch University’s School of Environmental and Conservation Sciences and Harry Butler Institute’s Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems, South Street campus, Perth, Western Australia. Students will be based at the Physiology, Ecology, and Conservation Lab ( www.peaclab.org ) on campus and will complete fieldwork (several 2–3-week trips per year) in the Kimberley region of Western Australia.

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