Enquire within if you are interested in these aspects of
marine habitat research: 1. Habitat mapping and distribution modelling 2. Marine ecosystem functions and services 3. Keystone fauna in seagrass and coral reefs 4. Cross-habitat connectivity in marine ecosystems 5. Ecophysiology, including stress effects on marine habitats 6. Ecosystem rehabilitation 7. Marine protected areas 8. Environmental policy and management in marine environments |
SEAGRASS RHIZOSPHERES FOR RESTORATION
We have two available PhD positions for Malaysian nationals to study seagrass root growth and dynamics that will be used to inform and develop more effective seagrass restoration techniques for tropical species.
Seagrass ecosystems in Southeast Asia provide crucial services that support the well-being of local communities, but the region has seen high losses of seagrass due to rapid coastal development. Restoration efforts have not always been successful, impeded in part by the prevailing problem of poor root development in seagrass transplants. In this project, we will seek to understand how robust seagrass root systems can be developed, by probing into the hidden life of the seagrass rhizosphere.
Two approaches will be used – an observational study of seagrass rhizosphere response to belowground processes in the sedimentary environment (PhD student 1), and an experimental study of seagrass rhizosphere response to aboveground processes such as temperature, light, and grazing (PhD student 2). Students will be trained in the sampling and handling of seagrass specimens from intertidal and subtidal locations, sediment analysis, aquaria set-up and experimental design, and the use of specialized root scanning equipment.
Scholarship details:
- Expected start: May/June 2022 (3 years)
- Monthly salary: ~RM 2,700
- All research costs covered
- Candidates will be expected to enroll as full-time candidates at either the Department of Geography
or the Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Universiti Malaya.
Applicants should send their detailed CV (including the contact details of two referees), copies of academic transcripts, and a cover letter that explains their prior research experience and interest in this project to:
Dr Jillian Ooi ([email protected])
Use ‘PhD Seagrass Rhizo’ as the email header.
Deadline: 28th April 2022
Seagrass ecosystems in Southeast Asia provide crucial services that support the well-being of local communities, but the region has seen high losses of seagrass due to rapid coastal development. Restoration efforts have not always been successful, impeded in part by the prevailing problem of poor root development in seagrass transplants. In this project, we will seek to understand how robust seagrass root systems can be developed, by probing into the hidden life of the seagrass rhizosphere.
Two approaches will be used – an observational study of seagrass rhizosphere response to belowground processes in the sedimentary environment (PhD student 1), and an experimental study of seagrass rhizosphere response to aboveground processes such as temperature, light, and grazing (PhD student 2). Students will be trained in the sampling and handling of seagrass specimens from intertidal and subtidal locations, sediment analysis, aquaria set-up and experimental design, and the use of specialized root scanning equipment.
Scholarship details:
- Expected start: May/June 2022 (3 years)
- Monthly salary: ~RM 2,700
- All research costs covered
- Candidates will be expected to enroll as full-time candidates at either the Department of Geography
or the Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Universiti Malaya.
Applicants should send their detailed CV (including the contact details of two referees), copies of academic transcripts, and a cover letter that explains their prior research experience and interest in this project to:
Dr Jillian Ooi ([email protected])
Use ‘PhD Seagrass Rhizo’ as the email header.
Deadline: 28th April 2022
SEAGRASS MEADOW BIRTH AND DYNAMICS
We are looking to recruit a Master’s/PhD candidate to work on seagrass meadow development and dynamics in a pristine island on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The work will focus on characterizing the phases of meadow development, tracking the growth dynamics and patterns of different species, their phenology and reproduction, and in setting up trials for seagrass transplantation. The findings of this study will help us understand how young seagrass meadows begin and evolve in the subtidal zone.
The candidate will work in a full-time research position for 24 – 36 months with Dr Jillian Ooi Lean Sim and collaborators at the University of Malaya. The candidate should: 1. Be a Malaysian national; 2. Possess a Bachelor’s Degree with CGPA 3.5 and above in either Geography, Ecology, Marine Science, or related disciplines; 3. Possess at least an Open Water SCUBA diving license but if not, he/she should be willing to undergo training in SCUBA diving, as well as additional in-house training to a level expected of scientific divers in Team Sea Habitats; 4. Be willing to work for extended periods (months) on a remote island. Lodging, food, and full SCUBA-diving facilities will be provided; 5. Be comfortable conversing and writing at publication-level in English; 6. Conduct outreach and education programs as a marine naturalist while in the field, apart from doing scientific research. Interested candidates should send their CV and a cover letter explaining their previous research experience to: Jillian Ooi (email: [email protected]) Please use ‘Project Seagrass Meadow’ as your email header. Deadline: Open. We are still looking. |