PhD Students

UNDERWATER FOREST RESTORATION

- PhD OPPORTUNITIES -

We are seeking 3 highly motivated PhD students to join a coastal restoration research team in the Sydney region 

This is an exciting opportunity to join an interdisciplinary team of researchers working on the following three coastal restoration projects:

Restoration Through Harvest: Linking urchin fisheries, communities and kelp forest restoration – funded by WWF’s Innovate to Regenerate program. Supervisors: Prof Adriana Vergés (UNSW) & Dr Ziggy Marzinelli (University of Sydney). Collaborators: John Keane (University of Tasmania), Aaron Eger (Kelp Forest Alliance).

Using plant-sediment-feedbacks to enhance effective seagrass restoration – funded by an Australian Research Council Linkage project. Supervisors: Dr Mariana Mayer-Pinto (UNSW), Prof Adriana Vergés (UNSW), Dr Ziggy Marzinelli (University of Sydney) & Paul Gribben (UNSW).

Project Restore – multi-species coastal restoration and rehabilitation focusing on seagrasses, kelp, fish pods and Living Seawalls; part of Seabirds to Seascapes a multi-institutional project funded by the NSW Environmental Trust. Supervisors: Prof Adriana Vergés (UNSW) & Dr Ziggy Marzinelli (University of Sydney). Collaborators: Dr Mariana Mayer-Pinto (UNSW), Katherine Dafforn (Macquarie University) & Melanie Bishop (Macquarie University) and David Booth (University of Technology Sydney).

THE APPLICANT: We are looking for someone with a keen interest in marine ecology and restoration and with a passion for solutions-focused research. SCUBA diving and advanced underwater fieldwork skills are needed. Boating experience and microbiology skills are advantageous, but not essential.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: From August/Sept 2024.

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR AUSTRALIAN STUDENTS: Students are expected to apply for an Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship through either UNSW Sydney or the University of Sydney. UNSW Deadline for commencing in June 2024: 26th April 2024; USYD deadline for commencing in June 2024: 10th May 2024.

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: UNSW Sydney and the Australian Commonwealth Government offer highly competitive International Research Scholarships. UNSW deadline for international students commencing in June 2023: 26th April 2024; USYD deadline for international scholarships to commence November 2024: 13th September 2024. 

Please consult the UNSW/USYD websites for more information. Note the following requirements to be competitive for an international scholarship:

- BSc equivalent to 1st Class Honours

- One or two publications in ISI scientific journals (at least one first-authored)

- Work experience in marine ecology

Interested students please email Prof Adriana Vergés (a.verges@unsw.edu.au), Dr Ziggy Marzinelli (e.marzinelli@sydney.edu.au) or Dr Mariana Mayer-Pinto (m.mayerpinto@unsw.edu.au) including a copy of your CV (in English) and your academic transcript.

Design Intern

If you are designer who can use the Adobe Creative Suite, we would love to hear from you! We are looking for someone who is interested in getting involved in marine-based projects to experience some fun design in the space of a project the benefits our oceans for the better. 

Preferred Skills

• Can use Photoshop to edit photography

• Can use Indesign and Illustrator to edit existing artworks and designs

• Can be available and deliver designs to (often
  short) deadlines

• It helps if you are a cray cray ocean lover like our lead creative!

Apply