Next Generation Water and Engineering Hub

The Australian government has heavily invested in fish detection systems which have been installed across the Murray-Darling Basin (MDB) to understand fish migrations. Government agencies require The success of any tagging program requires a large pool of tagged fish to be maintained. But there are very rarely resources available. Community groups are often eager to be involved but there are many constraints to this becoming mainstreamed. These constraints include permitting, capacity, animal welfare and a general lack of a coordinated framework for citizen scientists to be involved in such programs. This PhD aims to address this gap.

For more information review the Citizen Science: Integrating community groups into basin-scale fish tagging and recovery programs information sheet.

As per Charles Sturt University's standard eligibility requirements for entry to a PhD.

Essential: First Class Honours or a Masters degree with a research component or many years’ experience in research with a strong track record of publication.

Citizen Science: Integrating community groups into basin-scale fish tagging and recovery programs

Desirable: a background in water engineering or environmental studies (a passion for fisheries and/or working with regional communities would be a distinct advantage); independent; excellent writing skills with a track record of publication; an interest in the subject matter; and enthusiastic about working in a dynamic interdisciplinary environment.

The scholarship provides the following benefits:

Stipend: This scholarship is valued at $28,854 - $35,000 per annum payable in fortnightly instalments.

Tuition Fees:
Domestic candidates: Fee exemption for a period equivalent to four years (eight sessions) for PhD at full-time study.
International candidates: Fee exemption for a period equivalent to three years (six sessions) for PhD at full-time study.

Operating Funds: Operational expenses will be built into the overall Next Generation Water and Engineering Hub budget over three years.

Domestic candidates:

The scholarship is tenable for four years for Research Doctorate studies (4 years FTE tuition fee coverage and 3 years FTE for stipend and operating funds allowances) subject to satisfactory progress.

An extension of up to six months may be granted (stipend and operating funds components only), where the candidate is making satisfactory progress and the grounds for the extension relate to the study and are beyond the control of the candidate.

International candidates:

The scholarship is tenable for three years for Research Doctorate studies subject to satisfactory progress.

An extension of up to six months may be granted, where the candidate is making satisfactory progress and the grounds for the extension relate to the study and are beyond the control of the candidate.

Scholarship candidates are entitled to 20 paid annual leave working days per year and 10 paid sick leave days per year, however are not eligible for paid primary parental care leave or additional personal leave.

Applicants will need to apply for enrolment.

Prospective Higher Degree by Research candidates can apply for a Next Generation Water and Engineering Hub Scholarship when completing their Charles Sturt course admission application. When given the option to apply for a scholarship select 'Yes'; 'Full-time AGRTP' and 'Other'. Under 'Other' enter Next Generation Water and Engineering Hub Project.

In addition to the documentation required as part of the AGRTP Scholarship application, applicants will need to send an expression interest (including a full CV and a brief cover letter of no more than two pages) outlining your experience and research interests to:

Project: Citizen Science: Integrating community groups into basin-scale fish tagging and recovery programs
Professor Lee Baumgartner lbaumgartner@csu.edu.au and Dr Katie Doyle kadoyle@csu.edu.au