Global St Andrews and Macquarie Doctoral Scholarship: Biology (Dudaniec-Gaggiotti) (Fully-funded) 2025

The University of St Andrews and Macquarie University are pleased to offer a scholarship funded by both institutions, to support an exceptional student undertaking doctoral research in the following project:

Landscape genomics of native and invasive bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) under pathogen impacts

Students will enrol at both institutions from the outset. In terms of their location for study. The available entry point for students beginning at St Andrews is 27 September 2025. If beginning at Macquarie, the entry point is 1 October.

Doctoral Research at St Andrews

As a doctoral student at the University of St?Andrews you will be part of a growing, vibrant, and intellectually stimulating postgraduate community. St?Andrews is one of the leading research-intensive universities in the world and offers a postgraduate experience of remarkable richness.

According to the latest UK Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, more than 88% of research carried out by the University of St Andrews is world-leading or internationally excellent. St Andrews offers research students an intensive research environment, which is a vital step in their journey to a career in research and academia. Pursuing a specialism is a fulfilling path to undertake, and our research degrees are fully supervised and integrated into the research interests of our academic staff. At St Andrews research students will be contributing to the ground-breaking research we produce and making a significant contribution to the development of the respective academic field.

St Leonard’s Postgraduate College is at the heart of the postgraduate community of St?Andrews. The College supports all postgraduates and aims to provide opportunities for postgraduates to come together, socially and intellectually, and make new connections.

In addition to the research training that doctoral students complete in their home School, doctoral students at St?Andrews have access to a range of research skills development and training opportunities, which are designed to help them make the most of their postgraduate experience. These opportunities range from skills sessions that increase research capabilities to employability workshops and online resources. These support and development opportunities are available to all research students through the University’s GRADskills programme, a free, comprehensive training programme to support their academic, professional, and personal development.

St Leonard’s College and the University’s?Careers Centre?support all postgraduate students?in identifying and achieving their career ambitions. The Careers Centre has dedicated staff and has developed extensive resources and offerings?specifically for postgraduate students. Our research graduates go on to further studies and academic positions around the world or a range of professions outside of academia.

Doctoral Research at Macquarie

Macquarie University is recognised globally as a leading university, consistently ranking among the world’s best due to a strong tradition of innovation and exploration. With an enviable reputation for research excellence and a driving desire to produce solutions with real-world impact, Macquarie’s discoveries are paving the way to a brighter future. As a doctoral student at Macquarie, you will be able to draw on the expertise of the University’s knowledgeable and passionate research community.

• Table of Content
• About University of St Andrews
• University of St Andrews PhD Scholarship
• Aim and Benefits of University of St Andrews PhD Scholarship
• Requirements for University of St Andrews PhD Scholarship Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for University of St Andrews PhD Scholarship
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About University of St Andrews

St Andrews is a unique and captivating place, and the University is a key part of its charm. Seven centuries of history link the students with the town, leading to the ancient and yet modern institution apparent today. For those interested in visiting or moving to St Andrews, we recommend taking a look at the town information, which describes the facilities and opportunities open to the local community. You can also find information about the University’s governance, history, and strategy for the future in the sections below... continue reading

University of St Andrews PhD Scholarship

• Category PhD
• SponsorUniversity of St Andrews
• City to study -
• School to study University of St Andrews
• Course to study Not specified
• Application Deadline December 9, 2023

Aim and Benefits of University of St Andrews PhD Scholarship

The funding comprises a scholarship equivalent of a full-fees award and stipend for a period of up to 3.5 years. It is expected that the student will spend half of the scholarship term at the University of St Andrews and half at Macquarie University:

• For the period spent at the University of St Andrews, the scholarship will comprise a full fees award and a stipend paid at the current UK Research Council rate (£19,237 each year in 2024–2025)

• For the period spent at Macquarie University, the scholarship will comprise a stipend at an annual rate of AUD $38,500 (tax exempt, 2025 rate), paid pro-rata. A tuition fee scholarship will be granted for the period of joint enrolment up to 42 months. Macquarie University will also provide an airfare allowance for flights between Scotland and Australia up to a maximum value of $4,000 AUD to be arranged in accordance with the University’s travel policy.

Unless otherwise specified, the scholarships do not cover:

• Any continuation, extension, or resubmission period/fees.
• A research training grant or another equivalent award for research expenses.
• Support for travel, immigration, health insurance and related charges between the partner institutions.

Requirements for University of St Andrews PhD Scholarship Qualification

Available to postgraduate students studying: School of Biology (St Andrews) and School of Natural Sciences (Macquarie)

Available to: Prospective students

Additional criteria

Admission and scholarship criteria of both universities must be met.

Applicants must not already

1. Hold a doctoral degree; or
2. Be matriculated for a doctoral degree at the University of St Andrews, Macquarie University, or another institution.

Interview date, Process and Venue for University of St Andrews PhD Scholarship

Application assessment: Academic merit.

Successful scholarship applicants must meet all relevant entry requirements for admission including any immigration requirements that may be in place. Please see the advice on applying for research degree programmes at St Andrews and the PhD application guidelines at Macquarie.

Duration of award

Up to 3.5 years. The student will be expected to spend approximately half of the award term at the University of St Andrews and half at Macquarie University. The successful candidate will be expected to have completed the doctorate degree by the end of the award term. The award term excludes the continuation period and any extension periods.

Application Deadline

December 9, 2023

How to Apply

Submit an application/expression of interest by email to both Prof. Oscar Gaggiotti ([email protected]) and Dr. Rachael Dudaniec ([email protected]).

Applications/expressions of interest should include the following documents:

• CV including information about publications.
• Transcripts of most relevant/recent degrees.
• Information about thesis components (thesis mark, word count, weight/length in comparison to the degree overall).
• The names and email addresses of two academics who can provide reference letters
• Statement of suitability as a candidate for the project (max 500 words). The focus should be on how the training you have received during your studies will help you achieve the goals of the project. Please, explicitly describe the extent of your knowledge and training in population genetics, evolution, and statistical data analysis.

 

Applications for a scholarship will be assessed jointly by the co-supervisors. Following a successful application for the scholarship, candidates may be invited by the co-supervisors to submit an application to each university for admission into the program and award of the scholarship.

Please indicate in your application that you wish to be considered for this Global doctoral scholarship (Dudaniec-Gaggiotti). Applications should be submitted to the co-supervisors via email to: Oscar Gaggiotti ([email protected]) and Rachael Dudaniec ([email protected]).

Please contact us should you have any questions regarding the scholarship: [email protected] or [email protected]

Next steps

Successful scholarship applicants will be invited to apply for admission to both universities from mid-January 2025, and then formal outcomes of the position will be made, subject to provision of full application details and materials for entry to the programme on 27 September 2025 (for St Andrews starts) or 1 October 2025 (for Macquarie starts).

For more details visit: University of St Andrews website.