Going with the flow: population genetic connectivity of coral-associated reef fishes
UWA and the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) through the AIMS@UWA alliance are seeking motivated students to participate in this PhD opportunity as part of the Reef Song Project, co-funded by AIMS and BHP under the Australian Coral Reef Resilience Initiative (ACRRI).
ACRRI brings together novel research from two World Heritage sites, Ningaloo and the Great Barrier Reef, to develop the knowledge, skills and tools required to deliver innovative solutions for the management and sustainability of Australia’s coral reefs. Reef Song will explore the role of fishes in promoting resilient coral reefs, improve our understanding of reef recovery and adaptation, and develop new interventions that support reef restoration.
Marine species are typically spread across a network of habitat patches in which geographically separated local populations are connected as a metapopulation through the dispersal and recruitment of larvae. The strength of connections among local populations, also referred to as connectivity, has significant implications for population maintenance and replenishment following environmental disturbance.
While much attention has been placed on understanding patterns of connectivity in Western Australian corals, far less is known about these patterns in coral-associated fishes. As these fishes are vital to the health of coral reef ecosystems, this knowledge gap limits our understanding of how these reefs function and impedes our ability to predictand plan for future challenges.
This project will explore patterns of dispersal and connectivity in coral-associated fishes along the World Heritage Ningaloo Reef. It will apply cutting-edge genetic sequencing techniques to unravel patterns of genetic connectivity among discrete habitat patches using a spatially nested sampling design that explores both fine- and broad-scale patterns of dispersal across the seascape.
Successful applicants will be based at located in the Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre, where they will work as part of a diverse team of researchers and postgraduate students. In addition to fieldwork, students may spend some time undertaking research at the AIMS SeaSim facility in Townsville. Applicants should be comfortable spending extended periods of time in the field and be competent to dive.
Research team leader: Dr Jason Kennington
I received my PhD in population genetics from The University of Western Australia in 1997 and held postdoctoral positions at University College London and La Trobe University before returning to UWA to take up a UWA postdoctoral fellowship in 2003. I became a lecturer in the School of Animal Biology in 2006. My research focuses on the genetics of adaptation and the genetic threats of extinction posed to small populations.
Funding and Collaborations
Funding - Each project funding is $34,200 per annum for three years
External Collaborators:
How to Apply
Check criteria
- To be accepted into the Doctor of Philosophy, an applicant must demonstrate they have sufficient background experience in independent supervised research to successfully complete, and provide evidence of English language proficiency
- Requirements specific to this project -
- Competitive applicants will have advanced training in evolution and ecology and demonstrated research experience in population genetics or molecular ecology and some experience with big-data bioinformatics and high-throughput sequencing.
- Applicants should be available to start their studies in early 2022.
- This opportunity is open to domestic and international applicants, although preference may be given to individuals currently residing in Australia due to border restrictions.
Submit enquiry to research team leader
- Prospective candidates should send a single PDF file that clearly identifies the preferred project and includes: a brief cover letter/statement of interest and experience (1 page max), a CV including the names and contact details of 3 referees (2 pages max), and an academic transcript.
- Please forward EOI to Dr Luke Thomas l.thomas@aims.gov.au or Dr Jason Kennington jason.kennington@uwa.edu.au
Scholarship specific to this project
- Going with the flow: population genetic connectivity of coral-associated reef fishes PhD Scholarship
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This project is part of the Reef Song Project, co-funded by the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and BHP as part of the Australian Coral Reef Resilience Initiative (ACRRI). ACRRI brings together novel research from two World Heritage sites, Ningaloo and the Great Barrier Reef, to develop the knowledge, skills and tools required to deliver innovative solutions for the management and sustainability of Australia's coral reefs. Reef Song will explore the role of fishes in promoting resilient coral reefs, improve our understanding of reef recovery and adaptation, and develop new interventions that support reef restoration. These PhD projects are three years positions and are supported by a generous annual stipend and research budget and combine field and laboratory based research.
