Question PhD Opportunity: Scorpion Evolution

Title: PhD Scholarship in Australian scorpion evolution
College: Flinders University
Opening date: 17/11/2025
Closing date: 20/2/2026
Scholarship Value: $33,500 per year
Duration: 3 years with possible six month extension 

Description: Flinders University invites applications for a fully funded PhD scholarship linked to the ARC-funded project Defining the Evolution of Apex Arthropod Predators. The project will be supervised by Dr Russell Bicknell, with potential co-supervisors including Dr Bruno Buzatto, Professor Mike Lee, and/or other members of the Flinders palaeontology group.Arthropods (animals with exoskeletons) have been dominant predators for more than half a billion years and continue to shape modern ecosystems, making up ~75% of living species. Their extraordinary diversity includes a wide range of specialised predatory structures. Modern three-dimensional modelling techniques have become essential for testing the performance of these structures and exploring their evolutionary implications.Scorpions, in particular, show striking diversity in form, size, and ecological strategies. Yet, despite their ecological importance, Australian scorpions remain poorly studied from comparative, evolutionary, and biomechanical perspectives. This project will use cutting-edge approaches to document and analyse Australian scorpions, providing fresh insight into their role as predators and their evolutionary history.

Research Directions: 
 The project is highly flexible and can be tailored to the interests of the successful candidate, with opportunities for lab and field work. Possible avenues include:

• 3D scanning and biomechanical modelling (e.g., finite-element analysis) of scorpion species.
• Exploring evolution and biodiversity of Australian scorpions through methods such as phylogenetic analysis, geometric morphometrics, distribution modelling or ecomorphological analysis.
• Uncovering the largely undocumented diversity and describing new species of Australian scorpions.
• Documenting and comparing exoskeletal features across Australian scorpion species.

Eligibility
 Applicants must:

• Be an Australian; or New Zealand citizen; or have been granted permanent resident status; and
• Meet Flinders University PhD admission requirements
• Be available to commence as a full-time PhD student at Flinders University in 2026

Desirable BackgroundWe welcome applicants with interests in evolutionary biology, palaeobiology, or ecology. Experience in one or more of the following areas will be an advantage:

• Arthropod evolution, biomechanics, or taxonomy
• Handling and analysing large computational datasets
• Experience in scientific writing

Application informationInterested candidates should prepare:

• A  1-2 page cover letter outlining their research interests and suitability for the project
• A CV, including any publications
• Contact details for two referees

For further information or to apply, please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.flinders.edu.au/scholarships/phd-scholarship-in-australian-scorpion-evolution