PhD Opportunity: Size, structure and interconnectivity of ghost bat populations – Fully Funded
Location:
Darwin, Australia (trabajo de campo en zonas remotas del norte de Australia)
Organization:
Charles Darwin University, Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods (RIEL, Casuarina Campus)
Contract Type:
Beca de doctorado (Australian Government Research Training Program)
Main Description:
Do you want to contribute to the conservation of one of Australia's most iconic yet threatened mammals? Join an exciting new ARC Linkage project – The Macroderma Initiative – and help inform better conservation outcomes and mitigate development impacts for ghost bats (Macroderma gigas).
Ghost bats are in decline, predominantly due to habitat disturbance and alteration, but current knowledge gaps are hindering effective conservation planning and accurate assessment of development impact across the species range.
We're seeking a highly motivated PhD student to explore the size, structure, and interconnectivity of ghost bat populations, using state-of-the-art ecological and genetic tools. This project will also contribute to developing novel, low-disturbance monitoring techniques for a species that roosts in some of Australia's most remote landscapes.
The PhD candidate will investigate the population dynamics of the ghost bat with a focus on:
- Using state-of-the-art technologies to estimate population size, structure and connectivity
- Developing novel low-disturbance methods for monitoring ghost bat populations
This is part of The Macroderma Initiative: Conserving Ghost Bats and Informing Development, an ARC Linkage project collaboration between Charles Darwin University, Western Sydney University, and the University of Adelaide along with industry, Government and non-government partners.
Requirements:
Essential requirements:
- Must be a citizen or permanent resident of Australia (international applicants are not eligible)
- Hold qualifications equal to: (i) Australian First Class Bachelor (Honours) degree, (ii) coursework Masters with at least 25% research component, (iii) Research Masters degree, or (iv) equivalent overseas qualifications
- Strong academic performance in subjects relevant to (behavioural) ecology, conservation biology, or related discipline
- Must be vaccinated against Australian Bat Lyssavirus or willing to be vaccinated
- Ability to work in very remote and challenging conditions in Northern Australia
- Ability to work as part of a team of researchers, government and industry representatives
- Enthusiastic and highly motivated to undertake advanced study
Desirable requirements:
- Previous bat handling experience
- Experience using PIT-tags and conducting population genetic analyses
- Prior experience working with First Nations people
- Experience operating 4WD vehicles
Benefits/Conditions:
- Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Domestic Scholarship: $33,511 per annum (2024 value; indexed annually)
- Operational costs for the project covered under the ARC Linkage project
- Supervision by Prof Sam Banks (CDU), Dr Nicola Hanrahan (CDU), Dr Kyle Armstrong (University of Adelaide) and Prof Justin Welbergen (WSU)
- Commencement: Mid to late 2025
How to Apply:
- Review the project's eligibility criteria and prepare a document explaining how you satisfy them
- Contact Prof Sam Banks (sam.banks@cdu.edu.au) or Dr Nicola Hanrahan (nicola.hanrahan@cdu.edu.au) to discuss your eligibility and express interest
- Email them to introduce yourself, describe your qualifications and experience
- If they are interested, arrange a phone/video call or meeting to discuss your application
- Request a letter of support from the lead researcher
- Submit an enrolment application to CDU's Office of Research and Innovation
Contact for questions: Professor Sam Banks (sam.banks@cdu.edu.au)
More information: https://www.cdu.edu.au/science-technology/research/available-postgraduate-projects
(down the page)
Application closing date: 20 June 2025
Note: Incomplete applications or applications that do not conform to the requirements will not be considered.
