PhD Opportunity: Evaluating Urban Cat Management and Wildlife Interactions in Australian Cities
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Company Description
The Australian Pet Welfare Foundation is a not-for-profit dedicated to improving the health and welfare of cats and dogs within the community.
Through innovative research, the foundation creates new knowledge and shares it with shelters, government organisations, veterinarians, and the public to drive change and save lives.
This work is supported by a team of accomplished researchers and passionate volunteers.
By joining the foundation, you can help bring hope to thousands of homeless pets each year.
Project Overview
The Australian Pet Welfare Foundation (APWF), in collaboration with the Great Basin Bird Observatory (USA), Tyler Flockhart Solutions (Canada), RSPCA QLD, and AWLQ, invites expressions of interest from outstanding PhD candidates with a passion for urban ecology and wildlife conservation.
This project will investigate the ecological consequences and management outcomes of free-roaming domestic cats in urban and peri-urban landscapes.
The candidate will be embedded in the Community Cat Program (CCP) - a large-scale, long-term desexing and education initiative operating in Ipswich, Queensland since ****.
The CCP provides an unparalleled opportunity to study ecological dynamics, wildlife responses, and population trends within a living, city-scale experiment in humane, evidence-based cat management.
PhD Scope and Potential Research Questions
Urban Population Ecology: Is the Community Cat Program reducing free-roaming cat abundance and altering spatial population structure over time?
Urban Biodiversity Dynamics: How does native wildlife richness, abundance, and activity vary with cat density and urban habitat composition?
Movement Ecology: How do free-roaming domestic cats use urban green spaces, corridors, and residential zones, and what environmental or anthropogenic factors influence their activity patterns?
Predator–Prey Interactions: What patterns of temporal and spatial overlap exist between cats and urban wildlife species detected by camera traps?
What We Are Looking For
Background in ecology, wildlife biology, conservation biology, or a closely related discipline
Strong interest in urban ecology and applied research informing evidence-based wildlife management
Competence in statistical analysis
Experience or willingness to work with camera trap datasets, GIS tools (ArcMap/QGIS), and spatial modelling
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Experience in wildlife monitoring, population ecology, or spatial ecology
Familiarity with ecological modelling or R-based data analysis
Note: Applicants must be eligible for or competitive for a Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend Scholarship or equivalent at The University of Queensland.
Supervision and Support
Primary academic supervision will be provided by Emeritus Professor Jacquie Rand and Dr Kate Dutton-Regester at the University of Queensland, with co-supervision and field support from APWF and partner organisations.
The project offers exceptional access to long-term datasets, field infrastructure, and collaboration with national and international experts in urban ecology, wildlife monitoring, and animal management.
How to Apply / Express Interest
To apply, please send your CV and a one-page statement of interest outlining your research background, relevant skills, and motivation for applying to:
Expressions of interest are welcome on a rolling basis, with a view to enrolment in ****.
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