A PhD project on wetlands of international importance

The Centre for Ecosystem Science, UNSW Sydney is seeking a doctoral candidate for a project investigating the sustainable conservation management of wetlands of international importance, under the Ramsar Convention. 
 

Background Information:

There is a global biodiversity crisis in the rivers and wetlands of the world. The Ramsar convention is one of the key global conservation policy frameworks which aims to identify, monitor, and assess the condition of internationally important wetlands (Ramsar sites).

The Centre for Ecosystem Science, UNSW Sydney has an Australian Research Council Linkage Project (LP180100159) aimed at creating a standard for managing and reporting on wetlands of international importance. We aim to apply adaptive management, including identification of indicators, modelling, and predictions of trajectories of change for Ramsar sites in Australia and around the world.

UNSW Sydney is a recognised world leader in ecosystem restoration science. With several large on-ground projects underway, our research aims to provide world leading best practice that integrates the environment, economics, and social aspects of ecological restoration. 

This PhD project would focus on five Australian arid wetlands, including those in the Lake Eyre Basin, and develop models of ecosystem responses including ecological and socioeconomic elements, and collaborate with Traditional Owners, governments and other stakeholders. The research project will also have an international focus and support developing a global monitoring and management standard for the world’s wetlands.

Ideal Candidate:

We are currently undertaking a search for a high calibre candidate to join the research team. The candidate should have strong quantitative and statistical modelling skills able to handle and work with large numbers of datasets. Interdisciplinary skills spanning environmental, hydrological, and cultural values in relation to river and wetland management would be very advantageous. The candidate should ideally be a good communicator, able to work with non-government organisations and government agencies and have a willingness to develop skills in interpreting relevant policy and legislation related to environmental flow management.

This project will be supervised by Professor Richard Kingsford, Dr Gilad Bino and Professor Max Finlayson. Specific questions can be emailed to: Richard Kingsford richard.kingsford@unsw.edu.au; Dr Gilad Bino gilad.bino@unsw.edu.au, Professor Max Finlayson mfinlayson@csu.edu.au.

Application:

We expect applicants to have a postgraduate scholarship and be ready to start in either September 2020 or February 2021. Please send applications to Professor Richard Kingsford.

Please provide the following as part of your Curriculum Vitae.

• Details of undergraduate education and postdoctoral training (including location)
• Any voluntary or other relevant work
• Any relevant publications
• 200 words expressing why you would like to do this project