How to join the lab
Nestor notabilis (Kea) at Arthur's Pass National Park, New Zealand. These great alpine parrots are endangered, please never feed them!!
If you are hard working, enthusiastic, nice, and up for creative problem solving then we hope you will consider joining us for a research project! If you would like to apply to our lab as a prospective masters or PhD student please first check out the administrative details here. This will give you details on the requirements for entry to the various programs, when applications are due and so on. If you meet the requirements, contact Kate with a description of a project you'd like to do and a 1 page CV that highlights your relevant experience to your proposed project. You can also contact Kate if you're not sure what you're interested in and you'd just like to chat about ideas, we have several potential projects available that would be fun, challenging and rewarding, listed here. Please note that you will need to win a scholarship to conduct a PhD in our lab.
For advice on whether to even consider the idea of a research career in the first place checkout Sonkë Johnsen's Advice for Potential Graduate Students. For advice on being a good student, writing your thesis, giving talks, getting jobs, writing grants, writing fellowships and job proposals, and all things academia, you can't go past Scott Keogh's Resources and Advice for Students. As Scott says, it's a tough game.
WSU Master of Research with stipend and research funding
Brand New Program launched Oct 2026
CURRENTLY OPEN TO DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Master of Research – new degree at Western – Science major
Join our lab for your Masters of Research with stipend and research funding!
Applications opening for new MRes program mid-Nov 2026
Domestic and international students are eligible!
website: https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/future/study/courses/research/master-of-research
Pathway to PhD or professional career where understanding research is important.
Western Sydney has just launched a brand new Master of Research Program which includes stipends and research project funding and is open to domestic and international students.
Duration: 1.5 years full-time (or part-time equivalent)
6-months coursework (40 CP): For a Science Major these subjects will include INFO7020 Research Design, Methodology & Literacy and NATS7061 Advanced Research Methods and Analysis. Both subjects provide training that is directly relevant to the research discipline and project.
- 12-months supervised research project (thesis): 80 CP with research funding
Internationally recognised: MRes is an internationally recognised HDR qualification (and AQF level 9); whereas BSc Honours is of limited and varied recognition internationally (and AQF level 8).
Start Date: 1 March 2027
Eligibility: Bachelor or Master’s degree (>65 average mark)
Application requirements: Transcripts (outside Western), Citizenship status, English proficiency, ‘Statement of Intent’, Letter of Support from primary supervisor.
Tuition fees: A fully postgraduate degree, the student is provided with a Commonwealth (RTP) supported place (does not contribute to HECS debt)
Scholarships: Will be available during competitive offers twice a year (first opening in mid-Nov 2026). Annual rate = PhD ($38,707/year in 2027).
Supervisor: email me to discuss project ideas: k.umbers@westernsydney.edu.au. Send a copy of your CV and a short description of your research interests and goals.
PhD scholarships for Domestic Students - open!
We have several fully-funded domestic PhD scholarship available for a domestic student (citizen or permanent resident of Australia or NZ) to work with our wonderful team at WSU and the wonderful boarder network of people interested in looking after the Bogong moth. I am happy to consider students that are interested in any aspect of Bogong moth conservation science, especially their migration which includes breeding grounds, flyways and aestivation sites. First Nations Australians strongly encouraged to apply. This project is in partnership with Invertebrates Australia, Zoos Victoria, Xerces Society, and Lund University and in collaboration with DeadlyScience and the Australian Academy of Sciences.
If you are eligible, and Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, contact k.umbers@westernsydney.edu.au
Applications: As of Oct 2026 we are open to inquiries about these scholarships! Please get in contact.
NOW CLOSED:
Two PhD Scholarships currently available on the distribution and migratory flyways of the Bogong moth, Agrotis infusa.
The overall project is focused on understanding the distribution and migratory flyways of the Bogong moth (Agrotis infusa) and is funded by the Australian Research Council’s Industry Mid-Career Fellowship scheme and Western Sydney University with industry partners: Invertebrates Australia, Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, Zoos Victoria and Lund University. Students will receive a tax free stipend of $AUD31500 / year + $AUD6650 / year research funding and would ideally start in January 2024. One project is focused on behavioural work and the other is on genetics, though there is scope for flexibility and I am open to considering all great candidates.
Applications due October 31st, 2023.
More information: k.umbers@westernsydney.edu.au
Graduate
Research
School
At Western, graduate research is administered by the Graduate Research School. For more information about the GRS, see the GRS website and FAQ. For great advice from the former Dean of the GRS, Prof James Arvanitarkis [@jarvanitarkis] check out the GRS youtube channel!
Masters courses offered:
Master of Research:
https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/graduate_research_school/grs/courses/master_of_research
Master of Philosophy:
https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/graduate_research_school/grs/courses/master_of_philosophy
PhD courses offered:
Doctor of Philosophy:
https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/graduate_research_school/grs/courses/doctor_of_philosophy
Professional Doctorate:
https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/graduate_research_school/grs/courses/professional_doctorate
Scholarships for PhDs:
https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/graduate_research_school/grs/scholarships/main_round_scholarships
What's it like?
https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/graduate_research_school/grs/the_student_experience
Research
Scholarships
at Western
To get a scholarship for a PhD at Western you can either apply or project that you create with your prospective supervisor in the 'main round', or for a specific project for which a scholarship already exists, which are advertised under 'project scholarships'. There are pros and cons to each approach and you should, as always, talk with your potential supervisors before committing to a project. A good supervisor-student relationship is the key to your future success. Please note that prospective PhD students must secure a scholarship to undertake a PhD in our lab.
https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/graduate_research_school/grs/scholarships
Student
Support
Services
Choosing to pursue a research career is exciting because you never know where it might take you. And, as with anything in life, unforeseen challenges can arise. At these times it is important to seek help. We all know that the playing field is grossly uneven, so it's very clever to use all the help you can get, after all, that's why these services exist.
https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/currentstudents/current_students/services_and_facilities