We are seeking a PhD candidate, with industry sponsorship from the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA), to investigate the dynamics of shoreline vegetation in Lake Victoria, NSW.

Lake Victoria is a large, natural lake in south-western NSW that has been operated as a water storage in the River Murray system since 1928. In 1998, it was recognised that storage operations were endangering the preservation of Aboriginal cultural heritage at Lake Victoria. Since 2002, the lake has been operated to balance water delivery and environmental outcomes as per the Lake Victoria Operating Strategy.

Spiny sedge (Cyperus gymnocaulos) is the most abundant and extensive plant species on the shoreline of Lake Victoria. Importantly, it is effective at stabilising shoreline sediments which in turn reduces erosion and subsequent damage to cultural heritage material. Ecological knowledge of spiny sedge is limited. In order to facilitate an increase in vegetation cover and stabilise the lakeshore, a more detailed understanding of spiny sedge (and potentially of other species) biology and factors affecting its survival, growth, reproduction, and recruitment is required. 

The proposed project aims to draw upon a combination of the existing literature, monitoring data and analysis, together with targeted field and/or greenhouse work, to gather information that can be used to develop predictive model for spiny sedge. The candidate will enjoy a high degree of collaborative interaction and support from the MDBA.

The functional model will be used to inform routine and scenario-planning operations at Lake Victoria, so will need to show what lake operations are required to provide conditions for the continued expansion of this species and potentially others, and once established what operations conditions are required to maintain its cover. This understanding will be used by MDBA river operators to refine lake operations in the interest of cultural heritage protection. 

The candidate will be supervised by Dr Angus Webb (University of Melbourne), Prof Justin Brookes (University of Adelaide) and Dr Joe Greet (University of Melbourne).

DETAILS

• Eligibility: Students entering the PhD program in the Melbourne School of Engineering in 2019 and enrolled on a full-time basis. Candidates must be eligible to apply for an Australian Government Research Training Program Stipend Scholarship, and be highly competitive for that award. Australian and international students are eligible to apply. Applicants will be assessed on their scholarship score and relevant previous experience. Candidates with ecology or environmental science backgrounds are preferred, and quantitative skills would be particularly useful.
• Value: MDBA funding of $15,000 p.a. for three years in addition to AGRTP scholarship ($22,500 - $30,000 p.a.). Industry funding can be split between project operating costs and living support / top-up of AGRTP in negotiation with the supervisors and MDBA. Total value of scholarship and top-up funding is between $123,750 and 146,250. The MDBA will also provide considerable in-kind support in the form of staff time, data sets, and field resources if necessary. 
• Tenure: 3.5 years depending on progress and continuing eligibility.

For more information, or to apply, click 'View details' below.