CSIRO PhD Top-Up Scholarship - Carp in Contemporary Food Webs of the Murray-Darling Basin

Carp are a highly abundant, invasive fish species in the Murray-Darling Basin (MDB) and are known to cause significant negative impacts on native fish and the broader aquatic ecosystem. The Australian government is currently poised and considering whether to support the release of a virus to assist in the species’ control. However, little is known about the importance of carp in contemporary food webs of the MDB. This project will determine the importance of carp in food webs, across different habitat types and environmental conditions in the MDB. The project will also examine the potential impact of carp removal on food webs and assess likely winners and losers in the native ecosystem.

There is a broad scope for the project to include a combination of field, experimental, and/or modelling approaches depending on the skills and interest of the candidate. For instance, field work could include the sampling of carp populations in rivers and wetlands with collection of tissues to assess carp diet and contribution of carp to the energy requirements of predators such as large-bodied fish and waterbirds. Quantitative approaches could include building of dynamic food-web models to simulate scenarios of carp removal from the community.

1. Quality and relevance of student project:  The primary assessment criterion for a CSIRO PhD Top-Up Scholarship is the quality and relevance of the project being proposed.  The research must be aligned with the advertised priority research area.
2. Academic calibre of the student:  The quality of the student is also critical to the assessment of a scholarship and candidates must hold (or expect to gain) a relevant first or upper second class honours (or equivalent) degree from a recognised university.
3. Availability of appropriate university supervision:  The relevance of the university supervisor’s research background and their willingness to supervise the student in collaboration with the CSIRO supervisor should also be made clear. 

How to apply:

You will be required to:

1. submit a Resume/CV and Cover Letter (as one document) in the ‘Resume/CV’ field which includes:
   • the names and contact details of two previous supervisors or academic/professional referees; and
   • a one-page proposal stating how your research interests align with the project aims.
2. upload your academic results in the ‘Cover Letter’ field.