If you are thinking of wanting to join our group, consider how your interests would benefit from learning from other team members, and what you can bring to the group. Ideally, your project would work in an area related to our recent research.
For example, analysis of the global biogeography of a selected marine taxon (a group of species), with applications in nature conservation (e.g., where best to local Marine Reserves), or invasive species ecology. This may include studies on species taxonomy in New Zealand and internationally, and development of international databases. However, other projects are also possible and students are encouraged and facilitated to follow their passions. Our web pages and publications are a good indicator of our recent work and interests.
We have a range of analytical skills and in-depth knowledge of the marine biogeography literature, and are utilising the unprecedented amount of data in open access online databases, including the Global Marine environment Datasets (GMED), Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS), World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS), World Register of introduced Marine Species (WRiMS), Catalogue of Life (CoL), FishBase, Aquamaps, Global Invasive Species Database GISD and GRIIS (hosted at our university) and similar resources. There are some fit for purpose checks that need to be done with such data including checking with the literature and specialists, but there is still a lot of data already available and under-utilised.
We are very international. Our research group has recently included people from Bangladesh, Canada, China, Chile, Columbia, Croatia, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Portugal, Singapore, Solomons, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, USA, and we have hundreds of collaborators all over the world. See our ‘People’ page for details.
Enquiries should: (1) Address me by name* or I assume your email has been broadcast to many others; (2) Write in good English; (3) Attach your CV (not transcripts, thesis or publications). The CV should say (a) what, when and where you studied and standard of degree obtained and/or GPA, (b) related work experience (including volunteering), (c) extra-curricular interests and achievements that say something about you as a person. Your CV should be well formatted without spelling mistakes. (4) Briefly, why you want to join our group and how your background prepares you for this research area. (5) How you plan to fund your studies and when you may wish to start.
*As a general rule it is most respectful to address somebody formally on the first occasion unless they say otherwise, such as ‘Dr (or Professor) Surname’, not only ‘Dr’ or Prof’. Using a first name suggests you are already acquainted and is an annoying tactic used by sales people.
Some advice for how to choose a supervisor and Ph.D. topic is published on Nature. Please add any other useful links below.
I have posted information on postgraduate funding opportunities here.
