Decoding the spectral signatures of Australia's tree diversity and function

Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment

Lead Researcher: Doctor Laura Williams

About the project

A PhD scholarship is available as part of an ARC-DECRA project on the diversity and functioning of Australia's trees and forests.

Our research combines analyses of leaf-level spectral reflectance with plant functional traits, rich field-data platforms, and process-based modelling to investigate how trees vary in their function and what this variation means for the resilience and productivity of forests—both now and into the future.

With the support of a highly experienced supervisory team at the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment (HIE), the PhD candidate will have the opportunity to develop their own research program within this broad topic. This could take different directions according to the candidate's interests and background, including components focussed on plant secondary chemistry, physiology, and/or remote sensing. For example, potential research questions include:

• What governs the assembly of eucalypt forests across Australia? A clade-wide assessment of the spectral and functional diversity of eucalypts could be paired with plot surveys and occurrence records to document patterns of co-occurrence and test hypotheses about how eucalypt species assemble into communities.
• What are the ecological drivers and consequences of eucalypt chemotypes? Eucalypts produce a diverse array of secondary metabolites that influence their susceptibility to herbivores and pathogens. Glasshouse and field experiments could be used to explore the factors that influence eucalypt chemotypes and their consequences for competition and community dynamics.
• Can tree diversity help buffer our ecosystems as the climate warms? Process-based models, including a cutting-edge dynamic vegetation model for Australia, could be used to investigate how tree diversity affects forest function. Model simulations would explore how the distribution and diversity of forests might change in a future climate, how these changes shape ecosystem function, and whether tree diversity could be harnessed to design resilient forests.

It is expected that the PhD candidate's research will involve field work, lab work, statistical modelling, and process-based modelling. Notably, the candidate will have the opportunity to develop high-level skills in the use of spectral data for ecological research; this is an emerging field and will set the candidate on a trajectory to contribute to domestic and global needs for remotely assessing plant diversity and the functioning of ecosystems.

The candidate will be based at the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment (HIE), Western Sydney University, which is a vibrant and world-leading research institute with a large community of PhD candidates.

What does the scholarship provide?

• Candidates will receive a tax-free stipend of $35,188 (AUD) per annum for up to 3 years to support living costs, supported by the Research Training Program (RTP) Fee Offset.
• Support for conference attendance, fieldwork and additional costs as approved by the Institute.
• Depending on the candidate and project direction, there is the potential for top-up funding to support additional research costs.

Eligibility criteria

Applicants from all backgrounds are warmly welcomed to apply. We are principally seeking an applicant who is enthusiastic about this research area and keen to apply their skills to the project topic. International applicants are not eligible for this scholarship.

The successful applicant should:

• Hold qualifications and experience equal to one of the following (i) an Australian First Class Bachelor (Honours) degree, (ii) coursework Masters with at least 25% research component, (iii) Research Master’s degree, or (iv) equivalent overseas qualifications.
• Demonstrate strong academic performance in one or more subjects related to the project, such as ecology, plant biology, chemical ecology, remote sensing, biostatistics, or modelling.
• Have skills in handling and analysing data, ideally including experience in R.
• Have field work experience.
• Have strong skills in writing and critical thinking.
• Be enthusiastic about the topic, highly motivated, and have a keenness to learn.

This opportunity is open to domestic students only.

How to apply

1. Review the project’s eligibility criteria. You will need to provide in your application a document which explains how you satisfy the project's eligibility criteria.
2. Contact the lead researcher listed to discuss your eligibility, the project’s requirements and your intention to apply. You should email them to introduce yourself, describe your qualifications and experience, and express your interest in their research project. If they are interested, you may want to arrange a phone call, video call or meeting to discuss your application. You will need to request a letter of support from the lead researcher to support your application for the scholarship.
3. Submit an online application for the project by logging into the Online Portal and selecting 'Project Scholarship'. Note: You do not need to submit an application for Doctor of Philosophy or Research Scholarship.

Incomplete applications or applications that do not conform to the above requirements will not be considered.

For questions and advice about the research project, please contact the Lead Researcher; Doctor Laura Williams:  Laura.Williams@westernsydney.edu.au

For questions and advice about the scholarship application process, please submit your scholarship enquiry:

• Currently enrolled WSU HDR candidate, please submit your enquiry here

• Not currently enrolled WSU HDR candidate, please submit your enquiry here

Applications close 30 September 2025

*Applications close at 11.59pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT).

Scholarship reference code: PS2025_CS0677914_HIE