Background

The Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre (MDFRC) in association with The Murray-Darling Basin Authority (on behalf of the partner governments) is committed to the generation and adoption of freshwater ecological knowledge to inform decision making.

The MDFRC and MDBA Collaboration Partnership (MMCP) invites applications for “top-up” scholarships to support Post Graduate students undertaking research on the ecology and biogeochemistry of floodplain rivers and wetlands. Research themes that are considered within scope for consideration include:

  • Plant ecology
  • Floodplain fish ecology
  • Food web ecology
  • Invasive aquatic species

Through La Trobe University the MMCP will provide “Top-up” scholarships to successful applicants to the value of $15,000 ($10,000 “top-up” + $5,000 operating) per annum for three years.

Eligibility

Applicants must be

 Recipients of any PhD Scholarship enrolled through La Trobe University

 Pursuing research relevant to ‘flow ecology of floodplain rivers and wetlands’

 Have a researcher associated with the MMCP as part of the supervisory team. Visit to download the list of current MDFRC staff available for supervising students.

Application

The cut-off date for consideration for the second round of this scholarship is 30 January 2017

Applications must include the following:

 MDFRC PhD Top-up application form (see page 2);

 Curriculum vitae including a list of publications and Academic transcript

Applications must be e-mailed to

Please note - MDFRC may reject applications that do not meet the above requirements. Incomplete applications will NOT be accepted without prior discussion with MDFRC staff.

APPLICATION FORM

Personal details
Name of Applicant: / Name of current or proposed PhD supervisor(s):
Phone number: / e-mail address:
honours/ masters thesis
Title of thesis:
Name of supervisor: / Institution:
Grade:
PHD SCHOLARSHIP
PhD Scholarship offered/applied for:
Scholarship Start Date: / Scholarship End Date:
ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE
Provide a brief summary of your previous academic focus, highlighting any significant academic achievements (200 word limit)
previous experience
Provide a brief summary of your past work performed in a research setting and explain how this is relevant to the field of ‘flow ecology of floodplain rivers and wetlands’ (200 word limit)
PhD project
Provide a description of your PhD project, including the aims, hypotheses and relevance to ‘flow ecology of floodplain rivers and wetlands’. Highlight any personal input you had in developing this project (500 word limit)
Flow ecology of floodplain rivers and wetlands - Why do you want to pursue research in flow ecology of floodplain rivers and wetlands (250 word limit)?
referees
Please provide the names of two referees
Name (Referee 1): / Name (Referee 2):
Phone number: / Phone number:
Institution: / Institution:
e-mail address: / e-mail address:

Please complete the following checklist to verify that your application contains and email to :

 MDFRC PhD Top-up application form

 Curriculum vitae including a list of publications and Academic transcript