PROJECT HALOPHYTE
Funded PhD Scholarships for Pacific research on mangrove ecosystems
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED
The recently launched Project Halophyte is calling for applications for fully funded three-year scholarships to complete a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program at The University of the South Pacific (USP). The scholarship is funded as part of a collaborative research project between the University of New South Wales (UNSW), USP, Swire Shipping, and other partners.
Project Halophyte
Mangroves form a critical coastal ecosystem providing multiple functions for the environment, coastal resilience, and society. Mangrove habitats are highly productive, providing a vast array of ecological services and coastal protection. They also provide critical habitat as a nursery area for many commercial and community-targeted fish, ecotourism opportunities for coastal communities, globally important carbon stores, and traditional food and cultural use for Indigenous communities. Despite the significance of mangrove ecosystems, they are often highly degraded due to a range of pressures. Nonetheless, there are initiatives to rehabilitate and restore mangrove habitat considering the ecological, coastal and socio-economic benefits of these ecosystems.
Project Halophyte provides an opportunity to conduct applied research to pilot innovative tidal restoration methodologies and floating mangrove technologies in Viti Levu, Fiji. Project Halophyte will also support research that investigates options for large-scale restoration, how mangroves can support income diversification, and appropriate nature-based solutions that enhance mangroves. Restoring mangrove ecosystems will enhance efforts for biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation and adaptation to sea level rise, enhanced livelihoods for coastal communities – improvements aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Mangroves are crucial to the cultural, social and ecological needs of Pacific Islands region.
The applicants for four fully funded PhD scholarships will become integral members of a new multi-disciplinary and international team. Applicants should have a background in either environmental engineering, geography or science (or a related field), and an ability to conduct fieldwork in Fiji. Applicants are encouraged to discuss their proposed research with the relevant academic leads, listed below. Exceptional candidates may wish to apply to undertake a cotutelle (joint) PhD program with both USP and UNSW.
The Project Halophyte seeks applications from people to undertake world-class PhD research relating to one of the following themes:
- Large-scale tidal restoration opportunities for mangrove habitat to increase coastal ecosystem services and resilience (2 scholarships available):
- Academic leads: Dr. Isoa Korovulavula and Dr. Hilda Sakiti Waqa
- Measuring the environmental, social, and economic impacts of mangrove restoration (1 scholarship available):
- Academic lead: Associate Professor Antoine De Ramon N’Yeurt
- Enhancing coastal resilience through Innovative Floating Mangrove Pontoon Systems (1 scholarship available):
- Academic lead: Professor M. Rafiuddin Ahmed
For further information about the Project Halophyte PhD scholarships, please contact:
Anushka Maharaj, Research Student Coordinator
