PhD positions in Evolutionary Physiology

Multiple PhD positions are currently available to work on projects related to the evolution of life history and physiological traits – particularly body size, metabolic rate, and water loss. The majority of our experimental work is undertaken with insects – usually Drosophila or cockroaches Nauphoeta cinerea. We usually combine experimental work with quantitative meta-analyses of the published literature.

Candidates with experience in physiological ecology and evolutionary biology are encouraged to apply. There are opportunities to design projects that focus on any of the broad themes described below. Interested candidates should send their academic transcript, along with a cover letter outlining their research interests and motivation, to craig.white@monash.edu.

Theme 1: The evolution of size and energy expenditure: The relationship between metabolic rate and body mass is strong, but the shape of the relationship has been strongly debated for years. We recently developed new theory that explains the origin of this relationship, which we propose arises not because it is an inevitable consequences of physical constraints but instead because it is evolutionarily advantageous.

Theme 2: The relationship between metabolism and ecology: Many classic studies suggest that there should be strong links between individual rates of energy turnover and the characteristics of populations, communities, and ecosystems. Yet manipulative experimental tests of these predictions are extremely rare. Our high-throughput metabolic phenotyping suite provides us the opportunity to use artificial selection to alter metabolic rates, and directly test the consequences of such manipulations.

Theme 3: Life history and metabolic rate: We have been using artificial selection to change metabolic rate in Drosophila melanogaster. These manipulations can be exploited to examine the interaction between metabolic rate and life history, and the effects of metabolic rate on a multitude of other traits.

Scholarship details

The PhD projects are all fully-funded for a period of 3.5 years and are open to both Australian/NZ domestic and international students who have completed a MSc or Honours degree. The 2026 scholarship rate is $37,145 p.a, which is provided tax free with no teaching requirements.