PhD position in eagle conservation - Assessing and monitoring the abundance of the endangered Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle

The Tasmanian subspecies of the wedge-tailed eagle (TWTE) is listed as Endangered because of its small population size and known threats. Conservation of the TWTE is hampered by uncertainty in estimation of population size as a basis for monitoring. This project will develop a rigorous approach to estimation and monitoring of the size of the TWTE population.

An existing citizen-science program coordinates Tasmania-wide counts of TWTEs, but conversion of raw counts to population estimates is limited by lack of information on detection probabilities and effective survey areas. The PhD project will use data from high-resolution GPS tracking of individual eagles in conjunction with trial counts to quantify detection functions and use these to extend a recent tool in population estimation (the trapping point transect approach). This information will then be applied to citizen-science data to interpret population size and trends, and in modelling of population viability. The project will support the conservation of the TWTE by building capacity for population analysis and monitoring of TWTEs.

The successful applicant will receive a scholarship which provides a living allowance stipend funded by the Australian Research Council of $31,500 per annum (2023 rate, indexed annually) for 3.5 years and a relocation allowance of up to $2,000.

Start date for the position will be before the end of 2023. 

If successful, international applicants will receive a University of Tasmania Fees Offset for up to four years.

Check here for more details: https://www.utas.edu.au/research/degrees/available-projects/projects/biological-sciences/ecology-of-tasmanian-eagles

Please contact james.pay@utas.edu.au before starting the application process.