News Bulletin - Australian Animal Studies Group

Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods (RIEL)
Charles Darwin University
Research Opportunities
The Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods (RIEL) at Charles Darwin University
has an exciting research agenda that presents tremendous opportunities for young and/or early
career researchers to gain new qualifications and experience, while working on interesting issues
and making a difference in a very special part of the world.
The breadth of partnerships, issues and opportunities summarised here illustrate that these
opportunities also represent the chance to work in inter-disciplinary teams across an exciting new
research institute and its partners in science, government, industry and the community.
Opportunities exist in the areas of Coastal and Marine Ecology Management, Freshwater Ecology
and Management, Savanna Management and Wildlife Conservation. The opportunities are those
for which there is already secured funding, or reasonable prospects of funding if an appropriate
post-graduate student or post-doctoral fellow can be identified.
Post-doctoral applicants should have been awarded a PhD, preferably within the last five years,
in a discipline relevant to the proposed area of research. While REIL may consider alternative
arrangements under exceptional circumstances, their expectation is that the base location for all of
these research opportunities will be Darwin.
PhD scholars should ideally have or be eligible for an Australian Post-graduate Award (APA).
PhD scholars who are successful in attracting funding from either the North Australian Marine
Research Alliance (NAMRA) or Northern Research Futures initiatives will be expected to enrol in a
joint PhD between Charles Darwin University and the Australian National University (ANU), and
will most likely have supervisors from both institutions on their supervisory panel.
PhD Scholarships Charles Darwin University is calling for Expressions of Interest for PhD
Scholarships under the Collaborative Network Program with partners the Australian National
University, James Cook University and the Australian Institute of Marine Science.
For more information see: http://riel.cdu.edu.au/prospective/current-research-opportunities
THINKK: The Think Tank for Kangaroos
University of Technology Sydney
The killing of kangaroos is a highly charged ethical matter. Australia has been accused of
hypocrisy for opposing the killing of whales while at the same time engaging in the largest
commercial killing of land-based wildlife in the world. This killing raises a myriad of ethical
concerns, including concern for the welfare of joeys and adult kangaroos, the environment and
Indigenous rights.
The mission of THINKK is to foster understanding among Australians about kangaroos in a
sustainable landscape, through critically reviewing the scientific evidence underpinning kangaroo
management practices and exploring non-lethal management options that are consistent with
ecology, animal welfare, human health and ethics.
THINKK is a new and innovative think tank that has been established to undertake independent
research and encourage public discourse on kangaroos in Australia. THINKK is comprised of key
ecology and sustainable policy experts and consults widely with stakeholders. THINKK engages in
independent, practical research and consulting based on knowledge leadership. The think tank
strives to fill current knowledge gaps in science, policy and law to assess the key processes
relating to kangaroos and dysfunctional landscapes. THINKK actively disseminates research
findings to promote change that will provide a sustainable future for kangaroos and the Australian
landscape.
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