PhD Scholarship available (approx $36,500 pa AUD + project costs) at James Cook University in Townsville, on eDNA and the health of waterways in the Southern Gulf region of Queensland.

Project scope:
We are broadly seeking projects that develop and validate eDNA-based monitoring of waterways suited to northern Australian conditions, particularly in the Southern Gulf region. We are particularly interested in experimental approaches to use eDNA metabarcoding of freshwater communities (such as fish, invertebrates and diatoms) to develop metrics that track aquatic ecosystem health, which can be used to how management interventions affect aquatic biodiversity including threatened and introduced species.

The project is well positioned to make use of active wetland restoration and feral pig control activities around permanent waterholes across the Southern Gulf region, undertaken by Southern Gulf NRM to benefit threatened species including the Gulf snapping turtle. Across these waterholes a substantial amount of monitoring is already underway, including trail cameras and acoustic recorders tracking feral pig activity, and monitoring of habitat, eDNA and water quality, giving the student a strong contextual dataset to draw on. Outcomes will provide practical monitoring tools for threatened species management and waterway health reporting across remote northern Australia.

Who we are looking for:
This project demands a candidate who is equally comfortable in the field and the laboratory, and have an interest in using a range of different ecological field methods to complement eDNA methods. You will be designing and running field sampling campaigns in remote and logistically challenging environments, conducting DNA laboratory work, and running controlled experimental trials.

We do not have prescribed PhD plan. In an era where AI and desktop analysis tools are increasingly capable, we want someone who wants to work on things that cannot be substituted by AI - generating novel field and lab data, running experiments, complex networks, and foundational knowledge.

A background in freshwater ecology, conservation biology or molecular biology. Demonstrated experience in DNA laboratory work or a related field is expected. Experience with eDNA methods, bioinformatics, or fieldwork in remote environments is advantageous.

To express interest:
Contact Dr Cecilia Villacorta Rath (Cecilia.VillacortaRath@jcu.edu.au) and Dr Adam Canning (adam.canning@jcu.edu.au) with a brief statement of your research interests, a current CV, your academic transcripts, two references, and a list of any publications. Applicants must have completed a 1st class Honours degree or a Masters degree or equivalent.

When describing your interests, tell us what you would be most excited to pursue. Please do not send us a generic AI written letter that regurgitates the project description.