Are you interested in joining the lab?
As a member of the WEEP lab, you will have opportunities to gain experience in experimental research, fieldwork, data-synthesis, and statistical modelling. Our research mainly focuses on ectothermic vertebrates, but we are open to any system that helps us answer fundamental questions in ecology and evolution using physiological approaches.
We are committed to maintaining a supportive and inclusive environment in the WEEP Lab, and we strongly encourage anyone with the same commitments to join our lab.
What you will learn
My goal is to provide students and postdocs with the skills they need to be competitive in any job market. Students will learn a variety of lab-based and field-based skills, and critical thinking which are applicable for conservation and management practices.
Additionally, students will learn data management and coding (mainly with R), with a specific emphasis on reproducibility and transparency in open science. These skills will directly benefit anyone interested in pursuing a career in science in the academic, private, or public sector (e.g., industries, non-profit conservation organisations, ecological consultant agencies).
Advising philosophy
Every lab member should leave with the ability to think as an independent, critical scientist. I want to ensure that students and postdocs have the hard skills and theoretical framework to ask and answer important questions in the field of physiology, ecology, and evolution. I describe my advising philosophy as having high accountability and tolerance. I will provide clear expectations while also understanding that mistakes and flexibility are critical for growth as an independent scientist. A healthy, consistent, and professional communication is a central pillar of the lab culture.
Expectations of my lab members
I have found that the most successful students are those who are committed to both their science and their career development. As such, I hold high expectations for everyone I work with—including myself—to ensure we all benefit fully from the experience. Below, I have outlined five minimum requirements so you can understand what is expected before approaching me about joining the lab. If you feel you cannot meet these expectations, please do not ask me about supervision. I take this seriously and will discuss each of these points with you—and your referees—before making any decisions.
1. I expect all my students to approach their research with professionalism and dedication. Science should be both enjoyable and intellectually engaging, and I will put substantial effort into creating a supportive and productive environment. I will also do my part to ensure you have the resources and guidance needed to succeed. That said, I am not interested in supervising students who lack motivation. I only accept Honours and Masters students who are committed from the beginning to producing high-quality work through sustained effort. PhD students must be determined to develop genuine expertise in their field and make a meaningful scientific contribution.
2. It is common to lose momentum on writing papers after taking a well-earned break following thesis submission. However, I strongly believe in the principle that “your work isn’t finished until it’s published”. In this lab, everyone is expected to actively publish their research findings once the work is complete and ready. I will follow up to ensure papers are written and submitted. I encourage PhD students to write and publish papers progressively as they complete distinct components of their research. Publishing is essential for building your scientific reputation and advancing your career.
3. I expect students to actively try to seek funding to support their research by applying for small grants. Developing this skill is valuable for your future career, and securing additional funds will help ensure that your project can be carried out as planned, without compromising quality due to financial limitations.
4. Communicating is a fundamental part of science, so all lab members are expected to present their research at scientific conferences and to relevant stakeholders.
5. Everyone in the lab is expected to be an active member of the School of Environmental and Conservation Sciences (ECS). This is a great department, and you have a lot to gain by interacting with others in our group.
If you are interested...
Reach out and get in contact with me if you are interested in joining the lab. Some options for fellowships and scholarships are provided below depending on your career stage.
Postdocs
I encourage potential postdocs interested in pursuing funding together to contact me. Potential fellowships are available to conduct research at Murdoch:
| Agency | Fellowship | Period | Applicants | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Research Council | Discovery Early Career Researcher Award | 3 years | National and International | 5 years post-PhD |
| Australian Research Council | Early Career Industry Fellowships | 3 years | National and International | 5 years post-PhD |
| European Commission | Global Postdoctoral Fellowships | 2–3 years | European Nationals | 8 years post-PhD |
| Forrest Research Foundation | Postdoctoral Fellowships | 3 years | National and International | 2 years post-PhD |
| Human Frontier Science Program | Long-Term Fellowships | 3 years | International | 3 years post-PhD |
Short-term research scholarships
For PhD’s and early-career researchers interested in conducting a short-term (~ 3 months) research or would like to gain new skills in our lab, there a number of funding agencies available:
| Agency | Fellowship | Period | Applicants | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs | Fulbright Postdoctoral Scholarships | 4–8 month | US Nationals | 5 years post-PhD |
| Company of Biologists | Travelling Fellowships | 1–3 months (£3,000) | International | 5 years post-PhD |
| Company of Biologists | ECR Visiting Fellowships | 1–3 months (£3,000) | International | PhD to 5 years post-PhD |
Graduate students
PhD: I believe PhD students should do projects which genuinely interest them and that they should take the lead role in everything to do with their project—this includes coming up with their own ideas relative to the lab’s main research, and take initiatives. For more details about the PhD program and requirements, please visit the ‘Research degree’, and ‘How to apply’ page.
Masters/Honours: I encourage students to talk about research ideas that they have for potential honours projects. For more details, check out the Masters/Honours program page. Example projects are available on the Honours opportunities page.
If you would like to reach out, please provide the following information that will help me understand your background and experience:
(1) a curriculum vitae;
(2) a description of research experience and interest;
(3) a description of possible research topics and approaches highlighting why our lab would be a good fit for this research (see mission statement);
(4) a description of career goals and motivation.
*International applicants: please include an official English proficiency exam result, which is mandatory for Australian universities.
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