Fully Funded PhD in Urban Biodiversity at the University of Melbourne, Australia (2027)

Fully Funded PhD in Urban Biodiversity and Environmental Justice at the University of Melbourne, Australia (2027)

Application Deadline: 14 August 2026

The School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences at the University of Melbourne is inviting applications for an exciting PhD project exploring accessibility and exposure to biodiversity among underprivileged communities in cities.

This interdisciplinary project combines ecology, spatial science, geography, and social science to investigate how urban biodiversity can be made more accessible and equitable. Successful applicants will also receive support to apply for the prestigious Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship, which provides a generous living stipend and tuition fee support.

Position Overview

Research Project

The PhD project aims to understand how people living in underprivileged urban communities access biodiversity and the benefits it provides.

The research will investigate:

• Accessibility to biodiversity in urban environments.
• Barriers such as distance, safety, knowledge, and physical access.
• The relationship between biodiversity and human wellbeing.
• Strategies for creating more equitable access to green spaces.

The successful candidate will integrate ecological data, spatial analysis, and qualitative community surveys to address important environmental and social challenges.

Research Areas

The project combines expertise in:

• Urban Ecology
• Biodiversity Conservation
• Spatial Science
• Environmental Science
• Human Geography
• Social Science
• Environmental Justice
• GIS and Spatial Mapping

Supervisors

The project will be supervised by:

• Dr. Marie Dade
• Professor Ian Wiesel

Both supervisors bring expertise in ecology, urban planning, and environmental research.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants should possess one of the following:

• Master’s degree (including a research component), or
• First-Class Honours degree with a research thesis

Preferred academic backgrounds include:

• Ecology
• Urban Geography
• Environmental Science
• Social Science
• Geography
• Related disciplines

Essential Requirements

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Ability to work with people from diverse communities.
• Strong interest in interdisciplinary environmental research.

Desirable Skills

Preference will be given to applicants with experience in:

• Quantitative or qualitative survey methods
• GIS and spatial mapping
• Ecological data analysis
• Publishing scientific research

Funding Information

Competitive applicants will receive guidance to apply for the Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship.

The RTP Scholarship includes:

• Tuition fee offset
• Approximately AUD 39,500 per year living stipend
• Funding for up to 3.5 years

The scholarship is primarily awarded to domestic applicants but is also available to highly competitive international students.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should email the following documents:

• One-page cover letter
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Academic transcripts

Email: [email protected]

Application Deadline: 14 August 2026

Why Apply?

This PhD offers the opportunity to:

• Conduct impactful interdisciplinary research.
• Work with leading researchers at Australia’s top-ranked university.
• Gain expertise in ecology, spatial science, and social science.
• Contribute to environmental justice and urban sustainability.
• Receive support in securing a prestigious RTP Scholarship.

About the University of Melbourne

The University of Melbourne is consistently ranked among the world’s leading universities and is internationally recognized for excellence in research, innovation, and graduate education. Its vibrant research community and strong interdisciplinary collaborations provide an outstanding environment for doctoral training.

Application Summary