Closing 10 August 2025

Currently, I am looking for motivated PhD students to study how senescence (aging in fitness traits) and inbreeding interact with anthropogenic impacts (habitat fragmentation and climate change) in Endangered purple-crowned fairy-wrens Malurus coronatus coronatus. We offer the opportunity to become part of a long-term iconic research project, do fieldwork in a spectacular remote area, join a friendly supportive group, and learn state-of-the-art field, lab and analytical approaches.

To join us as a PhD student, you should have a passion for studying wild animals in their natural environment, a strong work ethic and a creative and quantitative mindset; experience with avian fieldwork and/or bird handling and/or relevant quantitative skills, a full driver’s licence is generally needed.

To be competitive for scholarship, applicants must have excellent grades, at least a 4-year bachelor degree with a substantial research component (MSc Research preferred). Applicants from non-English speaking backgrounds need evidence of English abilities. Successful students will be accepted into the world class Monash Doctoral Program; they will be offered a scholarship (AU$36,063 p.a. tax free) for 3 years and 6 months and relocation allowance; for internationals, tuition fees and health insurance are covered for the duration of candidature. Highly competitive applicants will be automatically considered for several prestigious scholarships providing an additional AU$10-15K scholarship p.a. Research costs and conference attendance are covered.

Application deadline for central scholarship: International: 31 August, Domestic/NZ: 31 October (https://www.monash.edu/science/schools/biological-sciences/postgrad/how-to-apply)

Contact Anne at the latest 3 weeks in advance of the deadline.