Position Details
Postgraduate Top-Up Scholarship
Role summary for potential applicants
Advertised Job Title:
PhD Top-up Scholarship - Validating predictions of biodiversity change
over space and time
Reference Number:
4863
Salary Range:
Top up scholarship stipends are valued at AU$7,000 per year plus a
generous operating budget
Location:
Negotiable (must be enrolled at an Australian University)
Length of Engagement:
(Up to) 3 year term (concordant with existing APA or scholarship)
Applications are open to:

Australian Citizens Only
Australian Citizens and Permanent Residents Only
All Candidates
Functional Area:
Research Projects
Reports to the:
Research Scientist – Dr Karel Mokany
Role Overview:
CSIRO’s Land and Water now welcomes applications for a PhD top-up scholarship to investigate new
approaches to testing and validating predictions of biodiversity change over space and time.
Duties and Key Result Areas:
Biodiversity modelling currently plays an important role in identifying likely outcomes for biodiversity
under future scenarios of global change, and in identifying policy, planning and management actions
likely to best retain biodiversity. Despite the importance of making predictions of biodiversity change
over space and time, to date there has been very limited attention given to assessing and validating the
accuracy of temporal predictions made by different biodiversity modelling techniques. This is
particularly challenging given the large spatial scales (continental - global) and temporal scales (decades
- centuries) over which biodiversity models are often applied.
This PhD will harness the best spatiotemporal biodiversity data sets from around the world to develop
and apply consistent and repeatable approaches to assessing the validity of temporal predictions made
by alternative biodiversity modelling techniques. This research will play a crucial role in improving our
understanding of the reliability of biodiversity predictions, and form a strong basis for the development
of better biodiversity modelling techniques.
The successful candidate will work jointly with Dr Karel Mokany (email: Karel.Mokany @csiro.au) and Dr
Simon Ferrier in CSIRO’s Macroecological Modelling Team in Canberra, in addition his/her university
supervisor/s. Students and potential supervisors should contact Dr Mokany to discuss this Top-up
Scholarship.
Selection Criteria:
Under CSIRO policy only those who meet all essential criteria can be appointed
Applicants must address the core selection criteria (project details, academic calibre and research
prospects) in a written statement within the Application Form. Evidence of academic results is also
required. Applicants that do not address the selection criteria will not be considered.
The four criteria on which the applications will be assessed are:
1. Quality and relevance of student project
The primary assessment criterion for the Postgraduate Scholarship is the quality and relevance of the
project being proposed. The research must be complementary to, and clearly aligned with, the
advertised research topic.
2. Academic calibre of the student
The quality of the student is also critical to the assessment of a scholarship and candidates must hold (or
expect to gain) a relevant degree from a recognised University.
3. Availability of appropriate university supervision
The relevance of the University supervisor’s research background and their willingness to supervise the
student in partnership with the CSIRO supervisor should also be made clear.
4. Potential to support directions of the research area
The potential of the proposed student project to support the directions of the advertised research topic
is essential.
CSIRO is a values based organisation. In your application you will need to demonstrate behaviours
aligned to our values of:

Integrity of Excellent Science

Trust & Respect

Creative Spirit

Delivering on Commitments

Health, Safety & Sustainability
Other Information:
How to Apply
Please apply for this position online at www.csiro.au/careers. You may be asked to provide additional
information (online) relevant to the selection criteria. If so, then responding will enhance your
application so please take the time to provide relevant succinct answers. Applicants who do not provide
the information when requested may not be considered.
If you experience difficulties applying online call 1300 984 220 and someone will be able to assist you.
Outside business hours please email: csiro-careers@csiro.au.
Referees: If you do not already have the names and contact details of two previous supervisors or
academic/ professional referees included in your resume/CV please add these before uploading your CV.
Contact: If after reading the selection documentation you require further information please contact:
Dr Karel Mokany via email Karel.Mokany@csiro.au or phone: +61 2 6246 4443
Please do not email your application directly to Dr Mokany. Applications received via this method will
not be considered.
About CSIRO
Australia is founding its future on science and innovation. Its national science agency, the
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) is a powerhouse of ideas,
technologies and skills for building prosperity, growth, health and sustainability. It serves governments,
industries, business and communities across the nation.
Find out more! www.csiro.au.
CSIRO Land and Water
CSIRO Land and Water provides the science to underpin Australia's economic, social and environmental
prosperity through stewardship of land and water resources ecosystems, and urban areas.
Through an integrated systems research approach we provide the information and technologies
required by government, industry and the Australian and international communities to protect, restore,
and manage natural and built environments.
Our expertise addresses Australia's national challenges and is increasingly supporting developed and
developing nations respond to complex economic, social and environmental issues related to water,
land, cities and ecosystems..