PhD scholarship - Specialised pollination systems and their conservation in Australian orchids

We are looking for a student passionate about plant conservation and/or plant-pollinator interactions and enthusiastic about engaging in a project with extensive field work. A PhD scholarship is available through La Trobe University to contribute to the ARC Linkage Grant ‘Using pollinators to optimise plant conservation translocation’. While pollinators are critical for plant reproduction, they are very rarely considered when establishing new populations of endangered species. Our innovative grant is exploring ways to ensure that knowledge of the pollinators is fully incorporated into conservation actions. Within this broad context, the PhD project, can be tailor made to match the skills and interests of the successful PhD student applicant. The PhD project will be conducted in collaboration with the Orchid Conservation Program at the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, which has the largest conservation collection of Australian orchids, and with The Australian National University.

Suitable PhD students will have at a minimum: (i) a Masters or first class Honours degree (ii) a driver’s license (iii) a willingness to undertake extensive periods of fieldwork if needed (iv) a willingness to learn appropriate statistical and/or laboratory methods.

Please contact Ryan Phillips prior to September 15 for more information on potential topics and the application process: R.Phillips@latrobe.edu.au

The student will be supported by a stipend of AU$32,500 per year.