PhD Scholarship: Building integrity into the nature positive promise en Griffith University

The PhD will be housed within Griffith University’s School of Environment and Science. The School of Environment and Science maintains an illustrious research position across numerous industry sectors, guiding and informing its learning and teaching. Our school is committed to contributing to the planet's sustainable future by identifying and measuring environmental problems and offering solution-driven approaches. Our research and teaching staff are acknowledged as world industry leaders, working across the broad science and environment disciplines enabling us to develop and deliver comprehensive study programs. We partner with industry, government, and the community to drive innovation and achieve success.

The successful candidate will be based at Brisbane South (Nathan), about 15 minutes from the city centre and will take part in a dynamic and thriving research culture within the School, and the Griffith Institute for Human and Environmental Resilience. As Griffith is a multi-site University you may be required to work across other locations.

Griffith University sites are located on the lands of the Yugarabul, Yuggera, Jagera, Turrbal, Yugambeh and Kombumerri peoples.

We are currently looking for a PhD candidate to undertake research as part of the Australian Research Council-funded project, ‘Building integrity into the nature positive promise’ led by Dr Michelle ward, Professor Hugh Possingham, Professor Brendan Wintle, Professor Andrew MacIntosh, Professor Albert van Dijk, Professor Don Butler, Dr Andrew Dowdy, Associate Professor Peter Scarth, Professor Fran Sheldon, WWF-Australia, Bush Heritage Australia and Australian Agricultural Company (AACo). Our technical advisory group includes Dr. Tegan  Shields, Professor Martine Maron, Professor Stephan van Leeuwen, Barry Hunter (North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance), Dr Anna Richards, Dr Lynne Macdonald, Rachel Martin, Dr Joe Bull, Professor Francisco Ascui and Jarrod Holmes (Indigenous Desert Alliance).

The primary focus of this role is to undertake a 3-year doctorate, comprising a stand-alone project on biocultural metrics and indicators that measures the health of nature, and feeds into the broader ‘Nature Positive’ research agenda. The project aims to identify biocultural metrics and indicators, testing their applicability to monitor and measure nature positive across varying scales. Success in this role requires collaboration and partnership with First Peoples and Indigenous groups across Australia.

The selection of applicants for the award of higher degree research scholarships at Griffith University involves consideration of your academic merit and research background. To be successful in this role, you must be able to collaborate with First Peoples and  Indigenous groups, collect biocultural data, analyse data using GIS and statistics and write clearly.  You will have evidence of a passion for biodiversity and conservation, with a strong desire to undertake research in the role First Nations play in developing nature positive monitoring methods.

• Expressions of interest are welcome from Aboriginal or Torres Straight Islander applicants only.  Applicants must be of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, who identify themselves as such, and are accepted by the community with which they are associated with as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
• Applicants must have completed, or expect to complete, a bachelors degree with honours equivalent to second class/division A honours or a Masters degree (AQF Level 9) incorporating a significant research component of a standard comparable to a bachelor honours degree or be regarded by Griffith University as having an equivalent level of attainment in accordance with Schedule One of the HDR Scholarship Procedure.  For further information on the eligibility requirements for the program refer here.

Please note:

The following is highly desired:

• Experience in conservation metrics and frameworks;
• Experience using ecological statistics;
• Understanding of the wider nature positive context;
• Experience publishing in high impact journals;

About the scholarship
The 2025 Griffith University Postgraduate Research Scholarship has an annual stipend of $34,752 (indexed) for a period of up to three years of full-time study. Please see the GUPRS Conditions of Award for more information.

What Griffith offers
As a scholarship holder, you will study with a University that ranks among the top 2% worldwide and spans across campuses in South East Queensland. At Griffith University, we’ve worked hard to create a culture that will challenge you to be curious, creative and courageous. We also support the professional and personal development of all our HDR candidates and invest in the skills of our people. Griffith University values diversity, inclusion and flexibility and we encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and people of all backgrounds to apply. Griffith's strategic goals are to also increase the proportion of women in senior academic and administrative roles and in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM).

EoI process
Please do not select the “APPLY” button. All expressions of interest must be submitted to [email protected] containing:

• Statement addressing your suitability for the project/scholarship
• Evidence that you have completed a program with the required grades as detailed in the about you section, including a  copy of your academic transcript
• A curriculum vitae (CV) using the Griffith CV template.
• Names of two referees

Closing date for expressions of interest is: Friday 3 October 2025 at 5pm AEST

The preferred applicant will then be invited to apply for the program and scholarship on-line

For project related enquiries please contact:
Dr Michelle  Ward
Email: [email protected]

For administration enquiries please contact:
Griffith Graduate Research School
Email: [email protected]