2026 Postgraduate Research Scholarship in Applied Behavioural Ecology at University of Sydney

This Scholarship aims to support a student undertaking a Master’s by research within the School of Life & Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science. The focus of their research is on testing the effectiveness of associational plant refuges, formed by unpalatable plants or their odours, on protecting tree seedlings from browsing damage by mammalian herbivores. The research will form part of a larger project working with the forestry industry, aimed at developing ways to reducing browsing damage and so increase productivity on forestry plantations.

This Scholarship is co-funded by the bequest funds from Patrick Desmond Fitzgerald Murray and research funds from Commonwealth of Australia represented by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Federal) for the project ‘Odour misinformation: a new way to reduce vertebrate pest damage to plantation seedlings’ between Australian Forest and Wood Innovations (AFWI) and The University of Sydney.

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirements
• Interview Process
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineNovember 14, 2025
• Value$31,333 per annum
• Study LevelMasters
• SponsorUniversity Of Sydney
• Eligible CountryAll Countries

Benefits

• The Scholarship will provide a stipend allowance equivalent to $31,333 per annum (fixed amount) for up to 1.5 years, subject to satisfactory academic performance. 

Requirements

You must:

• have an unconditional offer of admission or being currently enrolled to study in a full-time master’s by research within the School of Life & Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science at the University of Sydney
• undertake substantial field research in applied animal behavioural ecology and plant-herbivore interactions in and around forestry plantations in Tasmania, Australia
• hold an Honours degree (First Class or Second-Class Upper) or equivalent in Biology, Ecology &/or Evolution. 

Please Note: Applicant without an unconditional offer of admission may apply and be selected, however, no scholarship offer will be sent until the applicant has an unconditional offer of admission. 

Selection Process

1. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship on the basis of:
   • academic merit,
   • curriculum vitae,
   • area of study and/or research proposal, and
   • a personal statement which demonstrates understanding of the project topic on animal behavioural ecology, and plant-herbivore interactions in and around forestry plantations.
2. Preference will be given to applicants who hold a valid driver's licence (either international or Australian).
3. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship on the nomination of the relevant research supervisor(s), or their nominated delegate(s).

Application Deadline

November 14, 2025

How To Apply

Are you qualified and interested in this opportunity? Kindly go to University Of Sydney on sydneyuniversity.formstack.com to apply

For more information, kindly visit University of Sydney scholarship webpage.