10/11/2025
PhD OPPORTUNITY: Climate change impacts of marine invertebrate 'forests'
In some parts of eastern Australia and around the world, filter feeding ascidians and sponges are increasing in abundance in response to warming and replacing kelp forests.
These filter-feeders can create complex ‘animal forests’ that support biodiversity, however we recently discovered that they also produce significant amounts of nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas that’s 300 times stronger than carbon dioxide.
In this Australian Research Council Discovery project, we combine biodiversity surveys, microbiome analyses and experimental ecology, to understand how microbial symbionts in sponges and ascidians produce nitrous oxide and how this production responds to environmental change.
THE TEAM:
Professor Torsten Thomas (UNSW) – Microbial ecologist
Professor Adriana Vergés (UNSW) - Marine ecologist
Professor Dirk Erler (Southern Cross University) – Biogeochemist
Dr Xavier Turón (CEAB-CSIC, Spain) – benthic invertebrates specialist
THE APPLICANT: Students with a keen interest in interest in marine ecology, microbiology, biogeochemistry and/or climate change. Previous experience desirable but not essential. Depending on the student’s background and skillset (e.g. whether the student is a SCUBA diver or has experience in microbiology) different types of subprojects will be offered.
START DATE: From August/Sept 2026.
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR AUSTRALIAN STUDENTS: Students are expected to apply for an Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship through UNSW Sydney. UNSW Deadline for commencing in Sept 2026 is January 2026 (please check for updates and more info here: https://www.unsw.edu.au/research/hdr/application).
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: UNSW Sydney and the Australian Commonwealth Government offer highly competitive International Research Scholarships. UNSW’s deadline for international students commencing in Jan 2027 is May 2026 (please check for updates and more info here: https://www.unsw.edu.au/research/hdr/application).
Please note the following requirements to be competitive for an International Scholarship:
- BSc equivalent to 1st Class Honours
- One or two publications in ISI scientific journals (at least one first-authored)
- Work experience in marine ecology/ microbiology.
Interested students please email Prof. Torsten Thomas ([email protected]) or Prof. Adriana Vergés ([email protected]) including a copy of your CV (in English) and your academic transcript.
