Edith Cowan University (ECU) in partnership with the Western Australian Department of Parks and Wildlife is offering two exciting industry engagement scholarships in threatened plant conservation. One project will focus on the threatened plant species Conospermum undulatum, now restricted to a small area in the Perth metro area. The second project will study a threatened ecological community associated with this species.
Project titles:
- Population Ecology and Genetics of Conospermum undulatum
- Community Ecology of the Threatened Ecological Community: Banksia attenuata woodland over species rich dense shrublands ('SCP20a')
Application opening date: 16 May 2016
Application closing date: 10 June 2016
Method of application: Please read 'Step by step guide to applying' below
Payments
Amount: $37,000 per year (consisting of $27,000 ECU Industry Engagement Scholarship and $10,000 top-up from the Parks & Wildlife)
Frequency: Fortnightly
Method: Electronic funds transfer
Tenure: 3 years (with potential for an extension to 3.5 years)
Step by step guide to applying
- In the first instance please send your CV and covering letter to Dr. Eddie van Etten (e.van_etten@ecu.edu.au or (08) 6304 5566) for short-listing. Please indicate in your letter which project you are interested in (or both projects if that is the case) and why. You will be contacted if you are short-listed
- Short-listed applicants will then need to:
- Apply for admission - http://www.ecu.edu.au/future-students/applying#toggle-2 into a Higher Degree by Research course
- Complete the Scholarship Application - http://www.ecu.edu.au/__data/assets/word_doc/0013/131413/PG-Res-School-App-Form.docx (DOC), including:
- Your CV and a cover letter including evidence of experience or interest in the acquisition of skill and/or talent identification research and your experience in coaching or working with coaches at an elite level
- Information on your research publications or research grants you have received: Documenting Your Research Experience (PDF)
- Two Academic Referees to support your scholarship application, using the PG Academic Referee Report (PDF)
We encourage all applicants to read the Scholarship Conditions (PDF) to understand the application process, selection criteria, and the requirements on them as scholarship recipients.
Closing date: Monday, 27 June 2016
Contact information: For additional information about this project, please contact Dr. Eddie van Etten (e.van_etten@ecu.edu.au)
Send application to:
Submit your scholarship application and documentation by the closing date for the scholarship.
By email: scholarships@ecu.edu.au
Or post:
Research Scholarships Officer
Scholarships Office
Edith Cowan University
270 Joondalup Drive
Joondalup, Western Australia, 6027
Your application will be assessed within four (4) weeks from the closing date and you will be advised of the outcome via email as soon as possible afterward. Shortlisted applicants may be invited for an interview (in person or via phone).
Eligibility requirements
Eligibility criteria:
- Selection for a postgraduate research scholarship is based on academic merit and research capability within the University's research strengths
- Successful applicants typically have first-class Honours or have been award an upper second class Honours or Masters degree by research with additional research output such as research publications and/or successful research grant applications and research experience
- Specific research experience in plant ecology or conservation genetics
Courses:
Short-listed scholarship applicants should have:
- Completed a Bachelor Degree with First Class Honours or equivalent (See ECU's Research Scholarship Ranking Scheme (PDF) for information about equivalent qualifications)
- Submitted an application for course admission for a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) course
Applicants must not have completed any of the following:
- An Australian Research Doctorate Degree or equivalent
Previous scholarship recipients:
- Applicants who were awarded or currently hold the following will not be eligible to apply for this scholarship
- Either an Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) or an APA (Industry) scholarship, unless it was terminated within 6 months of the commencement of the scholarship
- An Australian Government-funded Postgraduate Research Award (excluding an International Postgraduate Research Scholarship), unless it was terminated within six months of the commencement of benefits
NB - This condition may be relaxed at ECU's discretion for an ECUPRS recipient - Another substantial scholarship provided by ECU (e.g. scholarships awarded by a Faculty, School, or Research Centre)
- Another substantial scholarship provided by an external provider
Nationality
- Australian citizen
- Australian permanent humanitarian visa
- Australian permanent resident visa
- New Zealand citizen
- International
International scholarship applicants:
Applicants must:
- Meet international student visa requirements as specified by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection - http://www.border.gov.au/
- Have been made an unconditional offer of a place in a higher degree by research (either a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) or Master by research)
- Not be currently receiving a scholarship provided by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID)
- Not have completed an AusAID scholarship within the last two years
Level of study:
- HDR - Higher degree research (Ph.D.)
School:
- School of Science
Study mode:
- Full-time on-campus
Additional information
ECU has world-class laboratory and glasshouse facilities for ecological research. In the recent ERA rankings, ECU was awarded a 5 star ('above world standing') rank for Ecology. The project is well supported by Parks & Wildlife and ECU with ample funds available for fieldwork and operating costs. The projects will be in partnership with Parks & Wildlife who will be kindly providing data, expert advice, and assistance, as well as operating and top-up funding.
Documentation
It is important to ensure your application includes as much information as possible together with the supporting documentation as following the closing date, additional documents cannot be added to an application.
Referee reports
Each applicant is required to make arrangements for the provision of two (2) academic referee reports. Academic Referee Reports may be used in the assessment process of a scholarship application. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that referee reports are returned to the Research Scholarships Office by the scholarship closing date.
Documents in a language other than English
It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that all documentation not presented in English is accompanied by an authorized English translation. This means that applicants must provide copies of the qualification or documentation in the original language and an official English translation.
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
http://www.ecu.edu.au/scholarships/scholarships-by-pathways/higher-degree-by-research/details/phd-scholarships-in-threatened-flora-conservation