This PhD is one of four interconnected, fully funded UC Connect PhD Scholarships co-developed by Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) and Te Papa Atawhai |Department of Conservation (DOC). Together, these projects investigate the ecological processes that sustain New Zealand's iconic braided rivers—from ecosystem functioning and biological invasions to species persistence and conservation. Successful candidates will join UC's Freshwater Ecology Research Group (FERG), working alongside UC researchers, DOC scientists and a collaborative cohort of PhD students tackling complementary ecological questions with direct conservation impact.
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Floods continually reshape braided rivers, both removing and creating habitat. One of New Zealand's rarest freshwater fish species depends on this constant disturbance for its survival. Understanding how upland longjaw galaxias persist in such dynamic environments is fundamental to conserving this threatened freshwater fish in a changing world, and integral to the general ecological question of how rare species persist in such dynamic environments. This three-year PhD will investigate how river dynamics, habitat connectivity and ecological processes influence the persistence of upland longjaw galaxias, generating new knowledge to guide conservation management of this special species and across braided river ecosystems.
The successful candidate will combine field ecology, spatial analysis and quantitative ecology to investigate questions such as: how do threatened fish persist in highly dynamic river systems; which habitats provide critical refuges during floods and droughts; how do habitat connectivity, disturbance and landscape structure influence population persistence; and how can this knowledge be applied to improve conservation management? The project will be refined with the successful candidate to reflect their interests and emerging management priorities.
The research builds on DOC monitoring programmes and ongoing collaborative research in Canterbury's braided rivers, providing access to specialist equipment, dedicated technical support and opportunities to work closely with freshwater ecologists and conservation practitioners.
This PhD is integrated with DOC's freshwater science and restoration programmes. The successful candidate will contribute to research supporting DOC's Ngā Awa River Restoration Programme in the Upper Rakitata catchment, working alongside DOC scientists, and partners, including iwi, to deliver research that informs conservation management. You will join UC's Freshwater Ecology Research Group and be supervised by Dr Helen Warburton, Professor Angus McIntosh, and experienced DOC freshwater scientists, and be part of a linked science and conservation team. Additionally, The project will also have some field support from DOC, and ideally, given the logistical challenges of fieldwork in the upper Rakitata, the candidate will be able to collaborate with other students.
You'll work at the interface of disturbance ecology and conservation practice, advancing understanding of how dynamic river processes sustain threatened freshwater species while informing the conservation of New Zealand's braided river ecosystems.
External Research Partner: Department of Conservation
Supervisors
Primary Supervisor: Professor Angus McIntosh
Other Supervisor(s): Dr Helen Warburton
Key qualifications and skills
We are seeking a motivated student with a background in ecology, freshwater science or a related discipline, an enthusiasm for field research and quantitative ecology, and an interest in applied conservation. We welcome applicants with diverse experiences and perspectives, including mātauranga Māori, kaupapa Māori research, community-led conservation, or working across different knowledge systems. Experience with ecological statistics is highly desirable. Skills such as GIS, freshwater ecology, fish ecology, electro-fishing and four-wheel driving are advantageous but not essential.
Applicants must meet the University of Canterbury’s PhD entry requirements, hold a current driver’s licence, and be willing to work collaboratively in remote high-country environments.
The successful candidate must be enrolled at UC by 1 May 2027 – earlier enrolments are encouraged.
Does the project come with funding
Per annum: Stipend of $32,650 plus PhD tuition fees. The project has additional funding available towards research expenses.
Funding duration: Three years (360 points)
Final date for receiving applications
15 September 2026 (midnight)
How to apply
This is a UC Connect Scholarship and applications must be made through the Scholarship Portal in your myUC account. Emailed applications will not be considered. Find out more here: University of Canterbury Scholarship Portal - UC Connect - Braided River Resilience: Understanding Ecosystems to inform Conservation
Keywords
Freshwater Ecology; Freshwater Ecosystems; Conservation Biology; Conservation Science; Braided Rivers; River Ecology; Ecosystem Ecology; Ecosystem Functioning; Ecosystem Services; Invasion Ecology; Biological Invasions; Invasive Species; Aquatic-Terrestrial Ecology; Disturbance Ecology; Restoration Ecology; Freshwater Restoration; River Restoration; Biodiversity; Food Web Ecology; Aquatic Plants; Macrophytes; Plant Ecology; Freshwater Fish; Threatened Freshwater Fish; Bird Ecology; Threatened Birds; Threatened Species; Population Ecology; Spatial Ecology; Landscape Ecology; River Connectivity; Ecological Theory; Quantitative Ecology; Field Ecology; Conservation Monitoring; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental Science; High-country Springs; New Zealand; Galaxiid; Upland Longjaw Galaxias; Wrybill; Black-fronted Tern; Banded Dotterel; Erythranthe guttata; Monkey Musk; Nasturtium officinale; Watercress; Taonga species; Wai Māori, Awa, Rakitata; mahinga kai; Mahika kai; ki uta ki tai
