PhD Opportunity: Reef‑fronted coastal dynamics, shoreline change & coastal risk (UWA)

[Michael Cuttler]

Dear colleagues, 

Please see below for details on a fully funded PhD position at The University of Western Australia. Application deadline is 22 June 2026.

PhD Opportunity: Reef‑fronted coastal dynamics, shoreline change & coastal risk (UWA)

The University of Western Australia is seeking a PhD candidate to join a new Australian Research Council Early Career Industry Fellowship, delivered in collaboration with the Western Australian Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA). This project opportunity focuses on understanding how reef ecosystems, oceanographic processes and sediment transport interact to control shoreline change along reef‑fronted coastlines, with direct relevance to the management of marine parks and coastal reserves. Reef‑fringed beaches provide critical ecological, cultural and economic values, yet their future response to sea‑level rise, cyclones and ecosystem change remains poorly understood. This PhD will contribute new knowledge directly aligned with management priorities identified by DBCA.

Applicants will undertake one of two pathways, depending on interests and skills:

1) Regional‑scale shoreline dynamics and coastal risk (remote sensing focused)
This pathway examines historical shoreline change and future coastal vulnerability across reef‑fringed coastlines, using satellite imagery, aerial data, and wave and water‑level hindcast datasets.
Example topics include:

• Multi‑decadal shoreline change along reef‑fronted marine parks
• Links between shoreline variability, wave climate and reef geometry
• Identifying hotspots of future coastal exposure under sea‑level rise scenarios

2) Local‑scale sediment transport and beach dynamics (field‑based)
This pathway focuses on resolving physical processes at individual reef‑fronted beaches using detailed in situ observations.
Example topics include:

• Sediment transport pathways from reef to beach
• Beach response to storms, elevated water levels or seasonal forcing
• Coupling between hydrodynamics, sediment supply and beach morphology

Funding

A fully funded PhD scholarship is available for the successful candidate, including:

• Tuition fees
• A living stipend (in line with UWA/ARC rates)
• Research support and fieldwork funding

This opportunity is open to domestic and international applicants.

Location & supervision

The PhD will be based at The University of Western Australia (Perth), with supervision from UWA academics and close collaboration with DBCA scientists. Fieldwork may involve travel to remote coastal and marine park locations.

How to apply

Applicants should have a strong background in coastal oceanography, geomorphology, environmental science, engineering or a related discipline. Experience with data analysis is essential; experience with remote sensing or fieldwork is desirable but not required.

To express interest, please email the following to Dr Mike Cuttler by 22 June 2026:

1. Curriculum vitae (CV)
2. A brief research statement (1–2 pages) that:
   • Summarises your background and research interests
   • Clearly identifies which research pathway (regional/remote sensing or local/field‑based) you are most interested in
   • Outlines relevant skills (e.g. data analysis, remote sensing, fieldwork, modelling)

 

More information

The full project description and application details are available here: https://researchdegrees.uwa.edu.au/scholarships/1x9x00

Dr Michael Cuttler

Senior Research Fellow

Facility Manager - IMOS Coastal Wave Buoys |ARC Early Career Industry Fellow 

Oceans Graduate School and UWA Oceans Institute  •  M470, Perth WA 6009 Australia

+61 8 6488 6873  •  +61 0412 459 836  •  michael...@uwa.edu.au

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