Join the Sea Around Us – Indian Ocean as a PhD Student

If so, an exciting opportunity awaits you at the University of Western Australia (UWA). The Sea Around Us – Indian Ocean, led by Professor Dirk Zeller, is actively seeking highly motivated and productive thinkers to undertake their PhD.

Aiming to tackle issues related to:

• Fisheries science

• Fisheries conservation

• Fisheries economics

• Data-limited stock assessments

• Large pelagic species

• Coral reef fisheries

• Small-scale fisheries

• Freshwater fisheries ecology

• Seafood nutritional science

• Marine conservation science at the ocean-basin and global scale.

Individuals with a keen interest in the above are highly encouraged to apply. If you have slightly different interest that do intersect with the above broad scope of marine conservation and fisheries science, please also consider getting in touch, as my professional curiosity is broad. Interested candidates will need to obtain a scholarship to support their PhD. UWA offers a competitive PhD scholarship round each year to both domestic (Australian) and international candidates.

The requirements for individuals to be considered are as follows:

• First-Class Honours or Master's degree

• Proven record in peer-reviewed publications in international ranked journals

• Have not completed or engaged in a PhD elsewhere

• Succesful at obtaining an external scholarship

• Committed to advancing meaningful, high-output research

Please note that Australian PhD programs typically last for three years, and scholarships are awarded for the duration, with no graduate coursework required.

By joining the Sea Around Us – Indian Ocean initiative, candidates will become part of a global network of leading researchers. Collaborating with world-leading research partners and institutions like Harvard University's Fisheries and Food Security group, the Aquatic Resource Trade in Species (ARTIS) group at the University of Washington, the Fisheries Economics Research Unit and the Sea Around Us initiative at the University of British Columbia, FishBase and others. Through such collaborations, PhD candidates will enjoy unparalleled professional development and networking opportunities and have the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research on a global scale.

In addition to these professional opportunities, living in Perth adds an extra personal dimension to this academic journey. With proximity to stunning beaches, unique biodiversity environments and a comfortable climate, candidates can enjoy both a fulfilling academic experience and a privileged lifestyle.

Suitable candidates will be encouraged to apply for scholarships after discussions with Professor Zeller, and only after a project has been agreed upon. Early contact is essential, well before the annual scholarship round opens. Please contact Dirk Zeller directly (dirk.zeller@uwa.edu.au) for suitability and likely projects after carefully considering the above.

Relevant background information on the purpose of and research conducted by the Sea Around Us – Indian Ocean can also be found on the profile of Dirk Zeller, the Sea Around Us - Indian Ocean Publications page or on the What We Do page. For more information on scholarships click here.