"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.
