Closing 1 August 2025

DESCRIPTION: We are seeking applicants for PhD projects investigating the distribution of endemism in Australia’s south-eastern forests. Narrow-range endemic species (i.e., those that occupy ranges of less than 10 000 km2) are less likely to be described, yet are at higher risk of extinction due to habitat loss. Our recent research shows around one third of invertebrate species living in forest leaf litter are likely to be narrow-range endemics. Invertebrate biodiversity decline has been recognised as a global crisis, yet in Australia our lack of knowledge of invertebrate species and their distributions makes it difficult to target conservation efforts. This project aims to address gaps in our knowledge of invertebrate endemism in the forests of south-eastern Australia and how we should approach their conservation. The below PhD projects will be based at Deakin or La Trobe University in collaboration with partners from Monash University and UNSW, Zoos Victoria, DEECA (Victoria), the Australian Museum and the South Australian Museum. A large field program will sample litter invertebrates from forests in south-eastern Australia and use barcoding and morphological identification approaches to document species distributions. Projects will address the following topics:

Project 1: Understanding narrow-range endemism in the wet forest beetle fauna of south-eastern Australia: You will establish the relative significance of upland forest regions for narrow range endemic taxa to determine the which places are critical to the survival of the biota in the long term. There may be the potential to work on the phylogeography of selected taxa.

Project 2: Phylogeography and population genetics in cryptic leaf litter species: You will undertake genetic studies of leaf litter invertebrates to better understand species delimitation in rainforests and determine the historic and present-day environmental factors that permit or prevent dispersal and connectivity.

Project 3: Litter transplants for post-fire restoration of litter invertebrates: You will resample sites burnt during the 2019-2020 mega-fires to determine the recovery of litter fauna. Many litter invertebrates are dispersal-limited and may struggle to recolonise following fires, so you will trial restoration methods to maximise the efficacy of leaf litter transplants in restoring invertebrate assemblages.

Project 4: Consequences of historic habitat loss for short-range endemic species: In this project, you will generate phylogenetic trees and use current distributions of phylogenetic endemism to predict pre-European distributions and likely species loss due to land clearing. You will identify and sample likely locations for persisting habitat island endemics in the agricultural and forestry matrix.

STIPEND: AU$35 000 for 3 years; Tuition fees are not charged for scholarship holders.

START DATE: Late 2025 or early 2026

ELIGIBILITY: Candidates should have a degree in the field of zoology, entomology, ecology or genetics, and hold a first class honours, or a Masters by Research qualification. Publications will also assist in competitive selection.

MORE INFORMATION: For more information, please contact Prof. Heloise Gibb ().

HOW TO APPLY: For project 1, a scholarship is available through Deakin University (domestic candidates, i.e., Australian citizens or permanent residents or NZ citizens only). For projects 2-4, candidates would apply through Deakin or La Trobe University’s August 24th (international candidates) or October 24th (domestic candidates) scholarship round, but should initially apply as described below.
Candidates should prepare an Expression of Interest which includes a copy of their CV, academic transcripts and a one page cover letter outlining their interests and relevant skills and motivation for applying to Prof. Heloise Gibb () by 1st August 2024 (Cc: A. Prof Nick Murphy () and Dr Nick Porch ()).