Balanced Scientist PhD program

“A unique PhD program to address a major environmental problem”

Every Australian learns about rabbit plagues in school. The incredible build-up of rabbits from the 1860′s to the 1950′s and the subsequent impact of myxomatosis is the stuff of legend. In fact, it is more likely that school children learn about Australia’s battle with pest animals in history classes rather than science classes.

However, pest animals remain a very significant problem to every Australian and represent an area of intense scientific investigation. There is growing recognition in the community that we must do more to combat the $720 million annual impact on our environment and our industries.

The Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre (IA CRC) is offering exciting postgraduate opportunities to participate in one of Australias most significant environmental issues.

The IA CRC represents the first time virtually every agency dealing with pest animals has come together to combine our scientific expertise and see this expertise used in the field. IA CRC consists of six international participants as well as our range of Australian participants.

Postgraduate students play a very important role in Cooperative Research Centres.  In the IA CRC, students are attached to projects that contribute to one of our operational targets.  They receive good funding support through projects as well as an industry-level scholarship with a three-and-a-half year tenure (rather than the usual three).  In addition, they are assisted  with strong skills-based training that makes them better, more ‘balanced’ scientists – more attractive to employers.

For further information on progress of the balanced scientist program, click here.

Meet our students