Differential equation modelling of tipping points and feedbacks in ecological systems (PhD scholarship)

What you'll receive

You'll receive a stipend scholarship of $30,000 per annum for a maximum duration of 3.5 years. The duration includes an extension of up to 6 months, if approved for your candidature. This is the full-time, tax-free rate which will index annually.

If you're an international student, you will also receive a tuition fee sponsorship for your research degree.

Eligibility

How to apply

Apply for this scholarship at the same time you apply for admission to a QUT Doctor of Philosophy.

Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) following the advice at How to apply for a research degree. In your EOI, copy the link to this scholarship website into question 2 of the financial details section.

If your expression of interest is accepted, you'll be invited to submit a full application, including a research proposal, to finalise your application. You must be accepted into QUT’s Doctor of Philosophy program to receive this scholarship.

About the scholarship

Ecosystems respond to gradual change in unexpected ways. Feedback processes between different parts of an environment can perpetuate ecosystem collapse, leading to potentially irreversible biodiversity loss. However, it is unclear if greater knowledge of feedbacks will ultimately change environmental decisions. The project aims to identify when feedbacks matter for environmental decisions, by generating new methods that predict the economic benefit of knowing more about feedbacks. Combining ecological modelling and value-of-information theory, the outcomes of these novel methods will provide significant and broad environmental benefits, by enabling managers to make informed decisions and stay one step ahead of potential ecosystem collapse.

This project would particularly suit a candidate who is interested in applying and advancing their quantitative skills to solve challenging environmental problems. The project will build upon and expand your skill set by involving a combination of the following: development and proposal of new mechanistic models, numerical simulation using ordinary and/or partial differential equations, computational methods for Bayesian inference, and/or value-of-information theory. Experience in coding in a relevant programming language (e.g. MATLAB, R, C++) would be advantageous. You will also gain experience in working and communicating with researchers from multiple disciplines outside of your field, further diversifying your potential career pathways post-PhD.

There are multiple case studies from across the globe (collaborative partners in Australia, Europe and North America) that will be examined in this project, depending on your preference and interest. These case studies include marine ecosystems (coral reefs, seagrass, calcifying algae), invasive freshwater weeds, and threatened bird species.

Depending on the case study/studies chosen, you have the opportunity to collaborate with and/or present results to applied mathematicians, statisticians, economists, ecologists and decision scientists both within QUT and from external institutions.

This project is funded by an Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Early Career Researcher Award. Two PhD scholarships are available. Applications will remain open until both positions are filled.

For further information, contact Dr Matthew Adams.