The Evolution and Assisted Reproduction Laboratory (EARL) is currently seeking interest from students passionate about the conservation of Australia’s threatened frog species to apply for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) scholarship for a project “Using artificial fertilisation technologies as a tool for the genetic management of amphibians”.
Project Information
Unprecedented rates of species’ decline are threatening global biodiversity. Among vertebrates, amphibians have been most severely impacted with an estimated 41% of species at risk of extinction. Proactive conservation actions are urgently required to assist species recovery and to slow declines. Artificial fertilisation (AF, also known as IVF) is increasingly being used to assist with the propagation of threatened amphibians. Surprisingly, the potential for AF to be used as a tool for genetic management has largely been overlooked. AF can be used to facilitate quantitative genetic studies that provide critical insights into the genetic control of fitness-determining traits. Knowledge gleamed from such work has a key role to play in (i) testing the genetic compatibility and combining ability of populations targeted for the augmentation of populations; and (ii) testing the genetic compatibility of animals contributing to conservation breeding programs (CBPs). This project will investigate the use of AF to facilitate more precise genetic management of threatened amphibian species.
The project will involve fieldwork in various locations throughout NSW working with a diversity of frog species. There may also be opportunities to work with endangered frog species in collaboration with our partners. We are seeking applications from highly motivated individuals with a desire to contribute to the conservation of Australia’s unique frog diversity.
Stipend
Interested students would need to apply for a competitive scholarship through the University of Wollongong (note that we do not have a paid scholarship to offer and the candidate would need to secure a scholarship before commencing), see: https://www.uow.edu.au/research-and-innovation/graduate-research/scholarships/
Conditions for Application
- Students will be required to conduct theor research project based at the University of Wollongong
- Applicants are expected to commit to full-time study and have the capacity to be based at the Wollongong campus (with travel to various field locations for discrete research periods).
Eligibility
- Applicants should hold an Honours 1 or Masters by Research, and undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline (Zoology, Conservation Biology or Biotechnology).
- Field and Laboratory research experience
- Experience with statistical techniques
- Experience collecting/housing Australian amphibians is desirable but not essential
- Peer-reviewed publications are desirable, but if you excel in other areas this is not a strict requirement
- Our research team promotes equity and diversity and applicants from a diversity of backgrounds are encouraged to apply
Application
Interested applicants should send a CV, and a short (max one-page) statement outlining your relevant research experience and reasons for interest in the project. Please format as a single document (pdf or word doc) and EMAIL along with a copy of your academic transcript. We will then discuss your eligibility and the process for applying for a university funded scholarship through the University of Wollongong.
Submit enquiries to: asilla@uow.edu.au AND pbyrne@uow.edu.au
Additional Opportunities
In addition to the above project we are also seeking interest from postgraduate students to conduct projects developing amphibian assisted reproductive technologies, investigating the evolution of gamete morphology and investigating the evolution of mating systems in Australian frogs. If you are interested in applying for a university funded postgraduate scholarship in one of these research areas please contact us to discuss the application process.
Evolution and Assisted Reproduction Laboratory (EARL) 