PhD in Community Stability under Environmental Change at Monash University

About the Position

The Community Ecology & Evolution lab led by Dr Giulia Ghedini at Monash University invites applications for a Doctoral Candidate position within the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network ReDiLEEP. This is an exciting opportunity to study how organismal physiology underpins community stability, collaborating with other PhD students and research groups in Europe to understand how species in an ecosystem respond to changes and the importance of variation in their responses for ecosystem stability.

Research Project DC13: Physiological Basis and Consequences of Response Diversity

The Doctoral Candidate will investigate the physiological basis of response diversity in marine phytoplankton communities. This project will develop a mechanistic understanding of response diversity by studying how the variation and evolution of species physiology propagate through species interactions to stabilise ecological communities to global change. The Doctoral Candidate will use theory-informed laboratory experiments, physiological and eco-evolutionary assays, to test how differences in species energy use drive species persistence and recovery under global change and how these responses support community stability.

Funding and Benefits

• Full-time PhD opportunity at Monash University (subject to securing a scholarship).
• Monash Graduate Scholarship covering tuition fees and a living stipend.
• Stipend of AUD $37,145 per year (2026 rate), tax-free if there is no other income.
• Typically includes a relocation allowance.
• Membership in the ReDiLEEP international doctoral network.
• Opportunities for international collaboration with researchers in Europe and Japan.
• Up to 6 months of secondments at universities in Belgium, the UK, and Germany.
• Training in R/Tidyverse, machine learning and AI, data management, visualisation, science-policy communication, and other research skills.
• Access to Monash research facilities, including marine research, microscopy, flow cytometry, and the Australian Synchrotron.

Eligibility and Requirements

• A motivated researcher with a keen interest in community ecology.
• Bachelor's degree with First Class Honours or equivalent grades for Master's Degree in biology, ecology, marine biology, environmental sciences, or a closely related field.
• A peer-reviewed publication (particularly as first author) is not essential but will strongly increase chances of securing a scholarship.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
• A demonstrated capacity to work independently and as part of a team.
• High level of motivation and enthusiasm for the research topic and to perform laboratory work.
• Experience in statistical analysis in R (or similar software).
• Open to applicants of all nationalities.
• Must meet Monash University PhD scholarship eligibility criteria, including English language requirements.

Application Process

Step 1: Submit your application in English by 30 September 2026 as a single PDF file via email to Giulia Ghedini (giulia.ghedini@monash.edu). Applications should include:

• A cover letter describing your motivation for the position, relevant experience, and fit with DC13 (max 2 pages).
• A curriculum vitae with details of any publications.
• Copies of degree certificates and transcripts.
• Contact details of two referees.

Step 2: Only with the support of the main supervisor, you can apply via the How to Apply page on Monash's website.

About Monash University - Ghedini Lab

The Ghedini Lab at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, studies community ecology and evolution. Its research uses marine phytoplankton to investigate how species traits, metabolism and interactions shape ecological communities. The group combines laboratory experiments with ecological and physiological approaches, exploring questions about community organisation, environmental change and ecosystem functioning.

Official website: https://www.monash.edu

Application dates

Milestone	Date
Application Deadline	30 October 2026
Expected Start Date	First half of 2027

Official Link

• Join Us Page: https://www.giuliaghedini.com/join-us.html
• Full Ad PDF: https://www.giuliaghedini.com/uploads/1/4/0/0/140095360/dc13_monash_recruitment.pdf
• Monash Graduate Scholarship: https://www.monash.edu/study/fees-scholarships/scholarships/find-a-scholarship/monash-graduate-scholarship-mgs
• ReDiLEEP Network: https://redileep.eu

Contact

• Email: giulia.ghedini@monash.edu

Questions about this position, eligibility or the application process should be sent to the contacts above or raised through the channel given on the official announcement page.

Important Notes

• Note that even though the work will be done in an MSCA-DN environment, the position is not recognised as an MSCA doctoral candidate because the lab is outside the EU. The successful candidate will be integrated in the network and have opportunities for international collaborations.
• The candidate will need to apply for and secure a Monash PhD scholarship to undertake this project.
• Monash University is part of the Group of Eight, an alliance of leading Australian Universities.

MSCA 2026 rates: doctoral candidates receive a living allowance of €4,010 per month plus a mobility allowance of €710 per month (€660 family top-up where eligible), adjusted by the national correction coefficient.

How to Apply

Submit your application through the official portal before the deadline: 30 October 2026. Read the eligibility requirements carefully and prepare all requested documents — early applications are strongly recommended for competitive awards.

Open the official application page ↗

Application guides

• How to Email a PhD Supervisor: 7 Templates and Practical Tips
• How to Read a PhD Job Advert: Funding, Eligibility and Application Steps