Airborne eDNA for northern bettongs

Australia’s fauna biodiversity is amongst the most distinctive in the world, but we have extraordinary rates of extinction. The endangered northern bettong, a small kangaroo relative, is one such species at great risk of extinction, largely due to competition and predation by feral animals. Like many other rare, cryptic, elusive and low-biomass species, their adaptive management is hampered by a lack of data because it’s expensive and difficult to collect. Airborne eDNA (the analysis of DNA in the air) is low-cost, easy to deploy and can be used to detect species across taxonomic groups (both threatened and feral) from a single sample. There is a groundswell of interest in airborne eDNA because of the dramatic efficiencies it promises to government agencies, conservation organisations and industry, but approaches don’t yet exist for the estimation of species distribution, occurrence and abundance using this technology. With a focus on the northern bettong, this project will develop the new methods needed for the broad uptake of airborne eDNA, whilst providing much-needed data to our partner organisations for the management of the species. Like aquatic eDNA, which is now routinely used in a range of regulated settings across the globe, potential applications for airborne eDNA are vast (future uses include environmental impact assessments, terrestrial inventory and monitoring etc.), and this project will bolster Australia’s lead at the forefront of its development.

This project will be based at UQ, in the School of the Environment, and partner with the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation and the Australian Wildlife Conservancy.

This is an Fellowship support scheme scholarship project that aligns with a recently awarded Australian Government grant.

The scholarship includes:

• living stipend of $37,500 per annum tax free (2026 rate), indexed annually
• your tuition fees covered
• single overseas student health cover (OSHC).

Learn more about the Fellowship support scheme scholarship.

Your application will be assessed on a competitive basis.

We take into account your:

• previous academic record
• publication record
• honours and awards
• employment history

A working knowledge of eDNA would be of benefit to someone working on this project.

You will demonstrate academic achievement in the field/s of conservation, ecology and genomics and the potential for scholastic success.

A background or knowledge of bioinformatics is highly desirable.

This project requires candidates to commence no later than Research Quarter 2, 2026. You can start in an earlier research quarter.

You must submit an expression of interest (EOI) by the closing date for the research quarter (RQ) you want to start in:

Before you apply

1. Check your eligibility for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
2. Prepare your documentation.
3. If you have any questions about whether the project is suitable for your research interests, contact Associate Professor Celine Frere (c.frere@uq.edu.au).

When you apply

To apply, submit an expression of interest (EOI) for the program. You don't need to apply separately for the project or scholarship. How to submit an EOI

In your EOI, complete the 'Scholarship/Sponsorship' section with the following details:

1. Are you applying for an advertised project: 'Yes'
2. Project: 'Fellowship project scholarship'
3. Scholarship Code Listed in the Advertisement: FRERE-230525
4. Link to Scholarship Advertisement: https://study.uq.edu.au/study-options/phd-mphil-professional-doctorate/projects/airborne-edna-northern-bettongs

Submit an EOI