The Osborne Crew

Specific topics that we are currently working on include: the ecology of threatened grassland reptiles and invertebrates in the Southern Tablelands; monitoring and conservation of frogs in alpine, tableland and river environments; the effects of fire on wildlife; management of wildlife in urban landscapes and the interaction between achieving sustainable agriculture and the maintenance of on-farm wildlife resources.

The group collaborates closely with other colleagues in the Institute – particularly with Prof Arthur Georges, Dr Stephen Sarre, Dr Jim Hone and Dr Sean Doody – all of whom are available to serve on post-graduate supervisory panels.

Through our research and consultancy work we have established important linkages with other institutions such as the NSW Department of Environment and Conservation, Environment ACT and the ACT Planning and Land Authority. Will Osborne and David Hunter have led a decade long research program that has focussed on hypotheses and practical management issues that relate to the conservation of declining alpine frogs. This research has focused on three key hypotheses about frog declines: changing climate, increased ultraviolet radiation and the spread of a fungal pathogen (chytridiomycosis).

The group has established a close affiliation with the eWater Cooperative Research Centre and the Australasian Invasive Animals CRC, both based at the University of Canberra. We also have projects underway with the Australian National University, Environment ACT, and the Ginninderra Catchment Group (a community group). Our group has undertaken considerable work on endangered grassland reptiles including the pink-tailed worm lizard, the striped legless lizard and the grassland earless dragon. This work is ongoing with a current focus on the grassland earless dragon (Wendy Dimond) and grassland insects (Anett Richter).

Sun Moth Count An innovative monitoring study of the Golden Sun Moth aims to raise community awareness about Australia's threatened insects. The Sun Moth Count involves the public as coordinators for recording sightings and abundances of Golden Sun Moths. Link to the Sun Moth Count

Interested in joining our team? If you are an undergraduate, a prospective postgraduate student, or a prospective postdoc with strong interests in applying evolutionary, ecological, or conservation theory to reptiles or amphibians in a field context, we may be the home for you. We are always interested in new additions to our team, particularly if you have a strong academic record, enjoy a demanding but productive and collegial work environment, and are interested in whole animal biology.

Scholarships are available for both domestic (including NZ) and international students, with a closing date of October 31 each year. You would need to discuss options with us well in advance of this date. Refer to the side-bar for likely future opportunities. These scholarships are highly competitive, and high academic performance with a publication record greatly improves your chances of success.

Support for Postdoctoral Fellowships is harder to come by. They are available through the Australian Research Council, the University of Canberra Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme (advertised irregularly), the Cooperative Research Centres, and through negotiation with relevant industry. We would be happy to work with you to develop a competitive proposal on a topic of mutual interest.

Prospective visitors might like to take advantage of our Visiting Scholars Scheme

To learn more about the kinds of research conducted by our team, check out our list of publications, the profiles of current and past members of our group, or summaries of our current projects.