We are looking for a highly motivated and suitably qualified candidate to conduct a PhD program of research on reptile visual ecology, commencing in 2017.
The successful applicant will be guided to develop a project to investigate the visual performance and ecological adaptations of a range of lizard species with differing life history traits. The research will be primarily neurophysiological and neuroanatomical in focus, but with opportunities to employ molecular biology and behavioural approaches to assess visual function, depending on the project.
Macquarie University has world leading expertise in the fields of ecology and evolutionary biology, receiving the highest possible rating (5 – Outstanding performance well above world standard) in the 2015 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) evaluation. The Department of Biological Sciences is equipped with cutting-edge electrophysiological and spectrophotometric equipment, comprehensive molecular and microscopy suites, and extensive animal keeping facilities.
The candidate will be supervised by A/Prof. Nathan Hart (Neurobiology Lab) and A/Prof. Martin Whiting (Lizard Lab) in the Department of Biological Sciences at Macquarie University.
Scholarship information
The MQRTP full-time stipend rate is $26,682 per annum (in 2017, tax exempt, for up to 3 years, indexed annually)
Prospective PhD applicants should have completed the equivalent of Macquarie University’s Master of Research (MRes) degree, MPhil or other 2 year Masters degree with a major research component and excellent results. Refer to the HDR Entry Criteria for more information about this (http://www.mq.edu.au/research/phd-and-research-degrees/how-to-apply/entry-criteria).
To be eligible for a PhD scholarship, applicants would be expected to have a record of excellent academic performance, especially in the research Masters degree, and additional relevant research experience and/or peer-reviewed research activity, awards and/or prizes in line with the University’s scholarship rating guidelines. Refer to the HDR Scholarship Requirements for more information about these guidelines (http://www.mq.edu.au/research/phd-and-research-degrees/scholarships/scholarship-requirements-and-how-to-apply).
If you are interested in applying, please send applications to Nathan Hart and they should include 1) your CV; 2) a brief statement of your research interests and why you are applying (max. 500 words), 3) contact details of two academic referees, and 4) your nationality (for scholarship eligibility purposes). Please submit applications electronically by 15 August, as a single PDF file.
Contact (send enquiries and applications)
A/Prof Nathan Hart
nathan.hart@mq.edu.au