About the Project
Australian inland rivers often go through prolonged periods of low flow and strong thermal stratification under which turbulent mixing is dramatically reduced resulting in low dissolved oxygen levels. These conditions can lead to large-scale fish kill events in fragile and endangered ecosystems. This study will better understand relationships that can be used in river hydraulic models by catchment managers to predict and manage the occurrence of high-risk conditions and enable proactive river management. The project will collect time series data on river flow and oxygen and other variables in the Darling River involving regular remote field work. At times a stable mobile platform will be used where high resolution detailed measurements will be collected. Experiments with fish will also be undertaken to understand their susceptibility to low oxygen under different conditions. The project will use the relationships from the data collected to better model oxygen change in the Darling River and predict when fish kill risks may occur.
The aims of the study are 1. Characterise the flow regimes across the river systems and type of stratification occurring; 2. Understand the contributions to DO balance in the river including DO production from autotrophs and demand from biological sources, 3. Better understand the risk of oxygen to fish based on field and experimental research, 4. Apply the knowledge gained into oxygen risk models that support management of rivers to reduce fish kills.
This project is part of an ARC Discovery Project and will involve both the University of Technology Sydney and the University of Sydney as well as the support of industry supervisors and facilities.
Selection Criteria
Ability to perform remote area field work in challenging environments.
Drivers licence, boat licence and demonstrated experience in field environments and safe procedures in water environments.
Ability to work in a team and report outcomes of research to supervisors and industry staff.
Experience in experimental or field work with fish.
Ability to publish scientific papers and/or management style reports.
Eligibilty
Applicants can be an International/ domestic student – either Australian permanent residents or New Zealand citizens. To be eligible for this applicantion, applicants must have completed a UTS recognised degree in
• MSc Research or MSc Coursework with a research thesis of at least 6 months,
• or Bachelor Honours degree with 1st Class, or 2nd Class Division 1, or division 1 honours, or an equivalent or higher qualification,
• or submitted other evidence of general and professional qualifications that demonstrates potential to pursue graduate research studies.
Required
Applicants should send their CV and list of publications to contact person’s email address by the closing date. The application process is currently open and will continue to be open until all positions have been filled. We highly encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible. Shortlisted candidates will be advised with further details.
For further Information on application essentials please visit UTS Graduate Research applications.
Not eligible for this scholarship ?
We also offer a number of other fully funded scholarships, studentships and awards at university, faculty and department level to support both Domestic and Overseas students
For more information, visit UTS Science Faculty Research Projects or search in UTS Scholarship search tool to find out what you may be eligible for.
