Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment

The Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment will be looking for applications from highly motivated graduates to apply for an HIE Postgraduate Research Award. The Institute's research fills a unique niche in the Australian research landscape through three coordinated, cross-disciplinary programs that generate unprecedented insights about the response of complex landscapes and how they adapt to environmental change.

Applicants will undertake research within the broad areas of:

• Ecology, biodiversity, and sustainability of terrestrial ecosystems, particularly forests, savannas and grasslands

• Soil science and molecular microbial ecology including plant-microbe interactions, soil biogeochemistry and ecological genomics

• Plant-animal interactions, including vertebrate and insect ecology, herbivory and multitrophic interactions

• Ecology, physiology, biochemistry and genetics underpinning adaptation of plants to a changing environment

• View a list of potential projects (PDF, 273.51 KB) (opens in a new window) on offer within the Hawkesbury Institute or contact a potential supervisor to discuss your proposal

Academic Criteria and Assessment:

Specific criteria will be announced when applications are called. Broadly, applicants should:

• demonstrate excellent academic performance related to the research areas listed above
• be highly motivated to undertake further study at an advanced level
• international applicants must also demonstrate a high level of proficiency in the English language. Please refer to the University's web site for information about English Language Requirements

The Institute will utilise the UWS Higher Degree Research Scholarship Ranking Metric to rank applications for the HIE Postgraduate Research Award.

The scholarships are ranked on the basis of previous academic merit and performance, and research output. Applicants should hold a Bachelor Honours degree (Class 1 or 2:1), or equivalent qualifications and/or experience.

The Foundation Director and Director of Research, Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, will hold the final decision on whether or not to offer a HIE Postgraduate Research Award.

How to Apply:

Submit an application form, a research proposal developed with your proposed supervisor, and CV by the closing date. Details of what to include in your research proposal can be found at How to Apply for Research Degrees at UWS - Requirements. The application form can be downloaded from the web at Research - Scholarships.

Applications for HIE Postgraduate Research Awards will open again for 2013.