Dr Dorothy Steane
Applications accepted all year round
About the Project
Eucalypts are keystone species in numerous Australian ecosystems, many of which are under threat. As climates change, restoration programs must maximise the capacity of regenerating ecosystems to adapt to new environments. The choice of germplasm for ecological restoration requires careful consideration to maximise survival in a rapidly changing climate. One consideration is the long-term adaptive potential of the genetic material (provenance) being used. Various strategies have been developed, particularly focused on maximising genetic diversity of seed sources. In the midlands of Tasmania, large long-term experiments have been established to test a variety of restoration strategies. Using these field trials and wild populations of native species, the research project will use morphological, physiological and genomic approaches to assess adaptation capacity in Eucalyptus and to test and validate strategies for optimising survival and performance of restoration plantings now and into the future.
Eucalyptus pauciflora and E. ovata are keystone species of Tasmanian woodlands. In the agricultural midlands of Tasmania, the University of Tasmania has partnered with Greening Australia to establish ecological and genetic performance trials in an effort to restore a highly degraded landscape. These replicated common environment field trials, in addition to native vegetation, provide unique opportunities for original research and validation of current and new approaches to forest restoration.
Contact us if you would like to contribute to real world science using traditional quantitative genetic analyses, advanced DNA technologies and novel computer-modelling approaches.
Funding Notes
Applicants should have a First Class Honours or Master’s degree in genetics, genomics, physiology, ecology, bioinformatics or related disciplines. Strong academic performance, excellent oral and written communication skills, and published output will be additional assessment criteria.
Applicants must be eligible to enrol in a PhD with the University of Tasmania. For a complete list of the University of Tasmania’s entry requirements, please refer to the University of Tasmania website.
Domestic students will need to apply to the University of Tasmania for an APA or equivalent Scholarship, while international students will need to apply for a University of Tasmania International Scholarship.