Restoration and resilience: Community re-assembly under climate change and increased fire
Murdoch University with Kings Park Science, South32 and WA Biodiversity Science Institute
There is an opportunity to undertake a PhD at Murdoch University investigating mine site restoration resilience to reduced rainfall and fire, with the support of Kings Park Science, South32 and WABSI.
The successful candidate will work with leading researchers in mine site restoration, gain industry experience and be part of a broader program of work being delivered across WABSI partners.
A top-up scholarship of $7,500 per annum and operational funding (to be determined by South32) is available to a successful RTP scholarship holder.
Requirements
Students with a relevant Honours or Masters degree, or who can demonstrate equivalence through work experience and/or publication(s) are encouraged to apply. Students must be eligible to enrol in a PhD at Murdoch University and need to be successful at obtaining a Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship for this project.
Applications for RTP scholarships are due by 30 September 2017 (International) or 31 October 2017 (Domestic).
Contact
Interested students should contact Dr Rachel Standish (R.Standish@murdoch.edu.au) with their CV and for further information.
About South32
South32 is a globally diversified metals and mining company, with operations in Australia, Southern Africa and South America. South32’s operations include Worsley Alumina, with bauxite mining near Boddington, an alumina refinery near Collie and port operations in Bunbury.
South32 is working with the Western Australian Biodiversity Science Institute to support the delivery of research that will address key knowledge gaps required to improve biodiversity outcomes at Worsley’s operations.
WABSI is a joint venture partnership of Western Australia’s leading research providers, including Murdoch University and Kings Park Science.
Restoring ecological communities that are resilient to disturbance is key to successful restoration. Worsley Alumina’s mining operations, located 130km south-east of Perth near Boddington, undertake progressive rehabilitation and ecosystem restoration as a core operational process supported by environmental policy and procedures. Rehabilitation practice is underpinned by scientific research. South32 is committed to ongoing research to continually improve its existing rehabilitation practice. Evaluating the resilience of restored vegetation to disturbance along the restoration trajectory is critical to ultimate restoration success.