History and purpose
Two PhD scholarships are available to study potential mechanisms of symbiont loss in the coral bleaching process, and the adaptive capacity of reef corals to climate change. The student’s projects will contribute to a larger three-year project, funded by the Royal Society of New Zealand Marsden Fund. Study organisms will include the model sea anemone (Aiptasia), and various tropical/subtropical reef coral species, including Indo-Pacific species from the Red Sea as well as some that occur locally in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The students will be supervised by Prof. Simon Davy at Victoria University of Wellington, with support from collaborators Prof. Virginia Weis (Oregon State University), Prof. Arthur Grossman (Carnegie Institution), Prof. David Suggett (King Abdullah University of Science & Technology, KAUST) and Dr. Clint Oakley (Victoria University of Wellington).
Eligibility and skills
A postgraduate degree in a relevant biological discipline. A sound knowledge of marine biology is desirable, but not essential, while a good understanding of cell biology and physiology will be viewed very favourably. Possible methods to be used during the PhD project include omics (transcriptomics, proteomics and/or metabolomics), immunohistochemistry, photo-physiology, and imaging mass spectrometry.
There is a minimum requirement of First Class Honours (or equivalent) or a GPA of 3.8/4.0 from the most recent university degree qualification.
While much of the research will be conducted in Wellington, applicants must have a willingness to travel for overseas field work and/or laboratory visits. There is no diving qualification requirement.
Applicants must display excellent written and verbal science communication skills.
Tenure and amount of award
Tenure: 36 months
Start date: From 1st March 2026 (no later than 1st July 2026)
Amount of award: NZ$35,000 stipend plus university fees per year, for a total of three years
Closing date for applications
5th January 2026 or until position is filled.
Application process
To apply for the PhD position, please send the following documentation to Prof. Simon Davy at simon.davy@vuw.ac.nz<mailto:si
 * Cover Letter
 * CV
 * Copies of academic transcripts
 * Writing sample (e.g., a first-author publication, or MSc thesis chapter)
 * Names of two academic referees (including a thesis supervisor)
Note: Applicants must also meet the entry requirements for PhD study at Victoria University of Wellington. Refer to the Wellington Faculty of Graduate Research.
Initial enquiries should be directed to Prof. Simon Davy at simon.davy@vuw.ac.nz (si
Decision makers
Prof. Simon Davy, in consultation with other project team members
What conditions are attached to acceptance of this Award?
A start date of 1st July 2026 at latest is required.
The successful candidates will be expected to work closely with the whole project team, including postdoctoral fellows and other students, to achieve and report on the project goals across the three-year timeframe.