PhD Position at the Cawthron Institute and Lincoln University

Location: Cawthron Institute and Lincoln University and New Zealand

Freshwater ecosystems across Aotearoa New Zealand are experiencing increasing pressure from multiple interacting stressors, including nutrient enrichment, land-use change, climate warming, invasive species, and hydrological modification. These pressures are altering ecosystem structure and function, yet many ecological changes remain difficult to detect using conventional monitoring approaches. Understanding how freshwater ecosystems have changed, which stressors are most influential, and how ecosystem function responds is essential for effective restoration and management.

This PhD project will use cutting-edge microbial metagenomics to investigate how freshwater ecosystem function varies across New Zealand lakes. The project will utilise a nationally unique dataset comprising metagenomic sequences from more than 150 lakes across Aotearoa New Zealand. The successful candidate will integrate these genomic data with environmental and limnological datasets to better understand how multiple stressors influence freshwater ecosystem function.

The successful candidate will

• Characterise spatial patterns in microbial functional genes across diverse lake types.
  
• Investigate relationships between microbial functions and environmental drivers, including nutrient status, land use, and climate.
• Examine how multiple stressors interact to influence microbial functional potential across local and national scales.
• Depending on the student's interests and experience, opportunities also exist to undertake field sampling and laboratory experiments to validate genomic findings and investigate specific ecological processes.

What you’ll bring

• A strong background in environmental science, ecology, microbiology, molecular biology, or a related discipline.
• An interest in microbial ecology, genomics, and environmental data science.
• Experience with (or enthusiasm for learning) data analysis using R or similar software.
• Good communication skills and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively. 

Supervisors

Dr John Pearman (Cawthron Institute) and Professor Susie Wood (Lincoln University).

Scholarship

NZ$35,000 per annum (tax free) and full domestic or international tuition fees.

Applicants must meet Lincoln University PhD entry requirements. Please check before applying.

How to apply

Submit your application for this position via the Cawthron Careers page by clicking 'Apply' below.

Please submit (1) a short statement outlining your skillset, fit, and reason for interest in the position (2), your CV, (3) Academic transcripts, and (4) the names and contact details of two academic referees. Applications that do not include all the above materials will not be considered.

  

Closing date: Applications close 30 August 2026. Applications will be reviewed as they are received. The position may be filled prior to the closing date, so early applications are strongly encouraged.

For any questions, please email recruitment@cawthron.org.nz.