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Two places available to help in the translation of ecosystem-specific knowledge and environmental monitoring data into informative fit-for-purpose indicators of ecosystem distributions, status and trends.

Ecosystems, vital to biodiversity and human wellbeing, are undergoing accelerated degradation. An ARC Industry Laureate Fellowship led by Professor David Keith will equip Australia with rigorous scientific foundations for leading the nature positive ecosystem conservation agenda that supports national strategies for ecosystem protection, management and restoration.

The research team at ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç Centre for Ecosystem Science in Sydney will deliver state-of the-art ecosystem data streams, advanced skills capacity and ground-breaking thematic risk assessments. These Australian innovations for ecosystem conservation will influence nature-positive agendas worldwide.

We are offering two PhD projects for highly motivated candidates:

1. Mapping challenge: Ecosystems in arid and semi-arid Australia are poorly mapped. Sparse field samples combined with long-term and landscape level dynamics hamper our ability to accurately map complex spatio-temporal mosaics of ecosystem types. This PhD will focus on innovative modelling of ecosystem spatial patterns and dynamics based on remote sensing and other spatio-temporal data to reveal the hidden patterns in our deserts and semi-deserts. 
2. Drivers and trends in ecosystem collapse: Threats like climate change, disrupted fire regimes and invasive species are driving widespread environmental degradation but we lack adequate means to measure and compare in the responses of different ecosystem types. This PhD project will focus on the translation of ecosystem-specific knowledge and environmental monitoring data streams into informative fit-for-purpose indicators of ecosystem status and trends. 

These projects offer a unique opportunity to gain skills and contribute to a research team addressing a key issue of national and global significance in conservation science.

Eligibility:

• Domestic full-time PhD candidates only

Scholarship:

• $39,206 per annum (2026 rate), up to 3.5years

How to apply:

To apply please submit an application including your CV and a cover letter explaining your suitability for the role to Dr. Jose R. Ferrer-Paris (j.ferrer@unsw.edu.au) on or before 7 November 2025. The subject line for your email should be: PhD Scholarships on Ecosystem Science.