Josh Dorrough has approximately 20 years experience in biodiversity conservation management and research.  After completing a PhD at the Australian National University in 2002 he worked as a research scientist at the Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research in Victoria and then as a Visting Fellow at CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems. He is currently a Senior Research Scientist with the Conservation and Restoration Science Branch within the NSW Department of Planning and Environment and an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the Fenner School of Environment and Society.

• Socio-economic barriers to uptake of ecological restoration
• Assessment of above and belowground indicators for measurement of ecosystem recovery
• Ecosystem collapse and restoration thresholds in grassy woodlands
• Assessment of metrics and methods for biodiversity offsetting

Enhancing climate-resilience of ecological restoration

An exciting opportunity exists to undertake a PhD within the iconic Kosciuszko National Park. The successful applicant will be offered a PhD top-up of $10,000/yr in addition to the standard stipend for a period of 3 years plus a possible six-month extension (2022 rate AU$28, 854 + AU$10,000 p.a. tax free). The project is being supported by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment and National Parks and Wildlife Service and will also have access to operating expenses, including support for attendance at national and international conferences.

The project will develop an understanding of drivers of variation in climate and fire resilience traits, growth, establishment, and survival of the dominant montane species, particularly those targeted in restoration efforts within Kosciuszko National Park. Plant functional traits relevant to growth and establishment under water and heat stress will be of particular interest. It is expected that the project could investigate how variation partitions among individuals, populations, and species, to better inform rehabilitation efforts and improve outcomes. The intent is that the project will inform restoration practice and assist NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service in their assessments of potential future risks to rehabilitation areas.

Within this broad scope, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to collaboratively design an appropriate project that suits their interests and skills. For more details see https://biology.anu.edu.au/study/student-projects/phd-scholarship-top-opportunity-enhancing-climate-resilience-ecological