The Conservation Science Research Group at the University of Newcastle have a Research Higher Degree (PhD) position available for an Australian, domestic student. The position will run for 3.5 years commencing early 2025.

Project summary

The RHD position will join an existing team looking at conserving the endangered Littlejohn’s tree frog, Litoria littlejohni.

Littlejohn’s tree frogs are threatened by mine subsidence, fire, disease, and small population size that has led to high levels of inbreeding. This study will explore how conservation actions to mitigate longwall mine impacts affect populations.

The position includes an RHD scholarship and project funding. Any office and laboratory work will be based at the University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, with a large component of fieldwork to be conducted in the Woronora Plateau, south of Sydney.

Doctoral Research Student

Requirements:

• Honours degree in Science, first class or equivalent (BSc or Environmental Science, or Natural Resource Management) in an appropriate field.
• Willingness and experience conducting field research.
• Evidence of excellent writing and communication skills.
• Evidence of ability in analytical skills; capacity to learn and undertake advanced statistical, ecological and/or genetic modelling.
• Australian citizenship or permanent residency.
• Drivers licence (4x4 experience is a bonus).

The RHD scholarships are offered by the University of Newcastle and will be at the Australian Postgraduate Award rate. It is anticipated that the successful candidate will commence in early 2025.

The successful candidate will work in the Conservation Science Research Group under the supervision of Professor Matthew Hayward, and Dr Kaya Klop-Toker.

Further research project details

Our previous research showed that longwall mining reduced breeding habitat availability and tadpole abundance, and that remaining populations of this species are very small and have low genetic diversity. The research team has implemented experimental conservation actions to help secure L. littlejohni populations. This project will focus on assessing the efficacy of two conservation actions; 1. created breeding habitat, which will involve fieldwork and habitat modelling to measure features associated with frog occupancy at created ponds; and 2. crossbreeding to reverse inbreeding depression, which will involve measuring fitness traits in wild and captive frogs and comparing these to genetic diversity metrics.

General topics covered in this position include

• In-situ and ex-situ conservation management
• Population and occupancy modelling
• Reproductive biology
• Genetics
• Amphibian biology/ecology
• Field ecology

Our study site is a longwall mine situated in eucalypt woodland in the Sydney Basin bioregion. Fieldwork will be conducted within the beautiful forest and freshwater stream habitats and that comprise this mine-lease area, as well as control sites in nearby national parks. Lab and office work will be conducted at the University of Newcastle’s Callaghan campus, where the CSRG group is based.

Joining the CSRG team is an opportunity to become integrated into a dynamic and supportive research team that is passionate about improving the conservation of Australia’s unique biodiversity. We are a relatively large research group, with teams working on a variety of fauna across NSW and the Pacific. We specialise in experimental conservation and population monitoring and have a strong multi-disciplinary approach that allows us to develop multiple complimentary strategies for species conservation.  

Please note that Australian citizens do not pay a tuition fee when enrolled in a research higher degree at an Australian University. The scholarship offered here provides a stipend as a living allowance.