Predicting species responses to climate change represents one of the greatest challenges for biologists. Current predictions focus on sensitivity to thermal stress, but they ignore species interactions. Species interactions - especially competition - shape all aspects of a species ecology, including the capacity of species to respond to climate change. Failure to consider the role of competitive interactions in shaping species responses limits our ability to predict species vulnerability to climate change.
Using Drosophila this project will examine the role of inter-specific competition in shaping species thermal performance and capacity to adapt to climate change and in doing so further our understanding of the role of biotic interactions in species vulnerability to climate change. Drosophila is a highly powerful and versatile model for understanding more generally insects susceptibility to climate change. Insects represent 80% of biodiversity on this planet and play a critical role in nearly every ecosystem. Understanding climate change vulnerability in this group of organisms is critical.
The successful candidate will gain skills in animal handling, experimental design, field work planning and srience in evolution, ecology and thermal physiology, although experience in these areas is not necessary. The project could involve a combination of field work and lab-based experiments. There will be opportunities for the successful applicant to pursue their own scientific ideas within the aims of the project. The successful candidates will be supervised by Dr Vanessa Kellermann La Trobe Universitys School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment.
This position is open to domestic and international candidates.
To be eligible for this scholarship applicants must meet the entry requirements for a PhD at La Trobe University.
nrmjobs.com.au/job/20020868