Project1: Conservation genetics of Tasmanian mammals This project will
focus on species of marsupials, such as the Tasmanian bettong and eastern
quoll, which are now restricted to Tasmania, having gone extinct on
mainland Australia, and which may be threatened by the recent invasion
of the red fox. The project will assess current genetic structure and
gene flow in these species across Tasmania. These data will be linked to
dynamic species distribution models to identify high-priority populations
that should be targeted for long-term protection against potential fox
impact. The project would also use genetic methods to reconstruct the
demographic history of the Tasmanian populations of these species, and
this could include comparisons with lost genetic diversity from mainland
populations based on DNA extracted from museum specimens. This project
has the potential to make a major contribution to the conservation of
Australia's biodiversity. Supervisors: Prof Chris Johnson and Dr Chris
Burridge (University of Tasmania).
Project2: Population genetics of related montane butterfly species
This project will focus on two closely related Tasmanian butterfly
species that occupy high elevations: Oreixenica ptunarra (threatened
species) and O. lathoniella. These species differ in abundance, range,
and flight capabilities. Populations of O. ptunarra are often sympatric
with the more abundant and widespread O. lathionella, and hence this
study will contrast spatial genetic variation in the two species using
phylogeographic and population genetic (microsatellite) analyses. The
study will test hypotheses that relate differences in patterns of
spatial genetic variation between the two species to differences in
flight capabilities and habitat requirements. The threatened species
(O. ptunarra) is of particular concern with respect to vegetation
management (fire and grazing regimes), and this study will also
investigate the species' ability to move between regions of suitable
habitat as their location changes through time. Supervisors: Dr Chris
Burridge, Dr Peter McQuillan (University of Tasmania) and Dr Phil Bell
and Dr Clare Hawkins (DPIPWE, Tasmania). Both projects are based at
the University of Tasmania (http://www.utas.edu.au ), one of Australia's
oldest universities, with great opportunities for intellectual development
and also outdoor recreation. The Central Science Laboratory contains a
large, well-equipped molecular genetics facility.
Applicants minimally require a BSc with a substantial research component
to part of their study (the latter may have been achieved by different
means depending on the country of study; within Australia this typically
represents a BSc Honours degree; externally, a MSc degree would be
the most common means of entry). Demonstrated expertise with molecular
laboratory procedures is desirable (DNA extraction, PCR, DNA sequencing,
microsatellite genotyping) but not essential, as are interests and
experience in conservation biology and GIS.
Scholarship comprises $AUS 22,500 per year (3 years, with a possible 6
month extension). Student fees will be required if the you are not an
Australian or New Zealand citizen, or an Australian permanent resident
($AUS 19,376 per year, to be paid upfront each year), unless you are
able to attract your own scholarship, in which case the fees will be
waived. Please note that the scholarship cannot be used to pay the
fees (the scholarship is provided in weekly instalments, not upfront),
and applicants seeking to meet living costs or fee payments through
additional employment simultaneously with their studies are unlikely
to be successful. Students from a non-English speaking background will
require proof of English-language ability (e.g. an IELTS of 6.5).
To apply: Please send a cover letter expressing your interest (in the
form of an e-mail), contact details of at least two referees, and an
curriculum vitae including details of undergraduate and any (post)graduate
performance to Dr. Chris Burridge (chris.burridge@utas.edu.au
). Applications remain open until the positions are filled.
Please note, I am away from my office until April 26th, and may not be
able to respond until after this date.
Chris Burridge
School of Zoology
University of Tasmania
Private Bag 5
Hobart, Tasmania 7001
Australia
e-mail: chris.burridge@utas.edu.au
phone: +61 3 6226 7653
fax: +61 3 6226 2745
web: http://fcms.its.utas.edu.au/
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