ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies Scholarship

Understanding the production of Cultural Ecosystem Services and Benefits

The ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies is seeking an outstanding PhD student to contribute to a project on cultural ecosystem services in terrestrial and marine environments. The project will use interviews and ancillary data sets to explore the relationships between different levels of ecological organisation, from organisms to ecosystems, and the kinds of cultural ecosystem services and benefits that they provide.

Applicants must have completed a Master's degree and have a strong quantitative background as well as research experience in a relevant field and at least two peer-reviewed publications. Experience working with rural communities in southern Africa is an advantage. The project will offer substantial opportunities for travel, field work, and modelling. Funding for the position is provided through the James S. McDonnell Foundation.

PhD scholarship funding will be for three years at James Cook University, Townsville. Applicants must be available to commence studies in early 2018. The stipend rate will be above the Australian Research Training Program (RTP) rate, which in 2018 will be $ 27,082p.a.

Expressions of Interest providing a CV, statement of research interest, and cover letter addressing suitability for the scholarship must be sent to Jennifer.Lappin@jcu.edu.au by 14 November 2017.

Requests for information about the research project should be sent to Professor Graeme Cumming Graeme.cumming@jcu.edu.au