Study with us
The IAE provides excellent facilities and support for postgraduate training. Our Higher Degree Research Committee works with the current postgraduate cohort to maintain an active program of scholarship top-ups, conference support, training courses in research design, thesis preparation and workshops to provide access to a range of additional professional skills. The Institute supports a range of less formal social occasions that bring students and research staff together, and opportunities for students to test ideas, analysis and interpretations through an annual postgraduate conference, and a weekly in-house Journal Club and Seminar Series.
University of Canberra is an exceptional place to study, being based in Australia’s capital and with ready access to recreational opportunities, including hiking, fishing and snow sports. The city has more than 350,000 residents and has an excellent local music, restaurant and café scene. Canberra was ranked #3 in the world in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel ranking in 2018. The city boasts a modern airport with direct connections to Asia and New Zealand and other major Australian cities. Sydney is a short 2 ½ hour bus ride away. Find out more about Canberra here.
Apply Now
Apply for postgraduate study at the University of Canberra today! Use the following link to access the University of Canberra admissions page: http://www.canberra.edu.au/future-students/apply-now
With more than 30 academics, and as many adjuncts, our staff span an impressive research portfolio. Please visit Our People page to find a staff member who specialises in the subject you are interested in, and contact them directly.
PhD opportunities
Does dynamic ecological change cause rapid evolution?
We are seeking PhD students with interests in population genomics and mammal/reptile ecology and evolution to investigate the factors that drive population dynamics and evolution.
Sex in Dragons – Pinning down the mechanisms of sex determination in a reptile
We are currently seeking at least one, but potentially several, PhD students with interests in genetics, evolution and developmental genomics to investigate the molecular mechanisms through which sex is determined in the Australian central bearded dragon lizard, Pogona vitticeps.
More information can be found by downloading the PDF
Honours opportunities
De-icing salt effects on rivers in Australian alpine national parks
We are seeking two honours students to investigate the effect of using de-icing salt on local streams and damage to aquatic biota. Research outcomes will help managers decide how best to apply salt to keep drivers safe and protect rivers in our national parks.
More information can be found by downloading the PDF
project files
)Find out more about some of our current students with our Student Stories page. If you want to see a full list of HDR students then please visit Our People page.
University and Government Scholarships
Financial support can help you focus on your studies so you get the most from your time at the University of Canberra. The university has a wide range of scholarships available for students from all walks of life, so chances are there is one or more that you can apply for.
Domestic and international students are eligible to apply. You can find out more about these scholarships here:
IAE Scholarships
In addition to UC scholarships, the IAE offer two PhD scholarships, the Richard Norris and the David Choquenot Memorial scholarships. Both are currently awarded, and we will advertise availabilities once current incumbents have submitted.
You can find out more about the project the current recipients are working on below.
David Choquenot Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is named in honour of the late Professor David Choquenot, a former Director of the IAE. Anthony Davidson is the inaugural recipient of the David Choquenot Memorial scholarship. As a New Zealander, Anthony was drawn to the Institute as the David Choquenot Memorial scholarship has strong links with industry (LandCare Research: Manaaki Whenua) and New Zealand ecosystem research.
Anthony has a strong background in modelling population dynamics, and will expand on this knowledge using a Bayesian Framework for his PhD studies. For his thesis, he will investigate the population dynamics of interacting invasive species in New Zealand forests.
Once Anthony finishes his PhD studies he would like to continue with statistical research, ideally applying ecological modelling tools to species of high conservation or economic value. Since joining the IAE, Anthony has enjoyed being part of a small group of dedicated researchers, and has benefited from the opportunity to learn from visiting high profile international ecologists.
Richard Norris Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship honours the late Professor Richard Norris, former director of the Institute, and an influential freshwater scientist.
Andrew O’Reilly-Nugent is the current recipient of the scholarship, and is studying the impact of introduced plants in grassy box-gum woodland communities, an important ecosystem that has been severely degraded in the ACT and south-east Australia.
Andrew has significant experience carrying out field projects around the world. Having previously worked with conservation NGOs in Mexico, Tierra del Fuego (Chile/Argentina), Australia and New Zealand, these projects focused on the management of threatened species and restoration of endangered ecosystems.
There are lots of reasons to choose the IAE at the University of Canberra as the place to do your post graduate study. Our research spans a wide range of environmental disciplines, and our supervisors undertake world class science with an applied focus. See more reasons to choose the University of Canberra: http://www.canberra.edu.au/future-students#why_choose_uc
Canberra is Australia’s capital and has a population of more than 350,000. Set amongst bushland and waterways, the city is safe and clean with ready access to recreational opportunities, including hiking, mountain biking, fishing and snow sports. The city has an excellent local music, restaurant and café scene. Canberra was ranked #3 in the world in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel ranking in 2018. The city boasts a modern airport with direct connections to Asia and New Zealand and other major Australian cities. Sydney is a short 2 ½ hour bus ride away. Find out more about Canberra here.