Turn curiosity into impact

Man standing in river

Create real-world change through research

Science starts with curiosity and the drive to solve real-world challenges. Whether you're interested in river health, climate resilience, biodiversity, sustainable agriculture or Caring for Country, a Higher Degree Research (HDR) program can help you turn your passion into impact.

At Southern Cross University, you'll work with expert supervisors to investigate environmental issues, build specialist research skills, and generate knowledge that informs policy, practice and environmental outcomes. 

As part of the University's Catchments, Coasts and Communities Research cluster, you'll join researchers tackling challenges across freshwater and marine ecosystems, land management, climate adaptation and community resilience.

For Dr Brendan Cox, a passion for freshwater ecosystems led to research in river health and aquatic ecology, helping connect science, citizen science and Indigenous collaboration to improve the way waterways are understood and managed.

Dr Brendan Cox testing water samples in the river

“The skills I learnt throughout my PhD help day-to-day with my job, and I definitely feel like it helped me get a job more than anything.    ”

Dr Brendan Cox Ecohydrologist

If you'd told me 15 years ago when I was peeling potatoes in a kitchen in Byron Bay that I'd be sitting here as Dr. Brendan Cox, I would say, "Get out of here."

I never finished any schooling in my life until the PSP. Never thought university would have been an avenue for me. Now I work for the state government as a eco-hydrologist.

We use science to inform management decisions around river regulations. River health is really important because rivers are kind of like the centerpiece of the land. Everything that happens on the land ends up in the river. Using water bugs to diagnose river health is really a way that we can find out what's happening to our rivers, what's affecting those rivers, and then come up with a solution to fix those problems.

Today, we're also running a workshop for the Richmond River Keeper where we were trying to get the community excited about rivers again, showing them the water bugs that live in there, teaching them how to collect them, identify them, and that's all part of that greater Richmond River EcoHealth program that we started three and a half years ago with help from Southern Cross.

I think the ultimate objective is to return the river closer to its original condition. It would just be nice if people could just go fishing in the river again and be able to catch fish and eat them and I imagine, you know, if we keep working together, eventually people can swim back in the river and there's more like that, that'd be great.

Southern Cross gave me my introduction to science, and ultimately, that's why I'm in my career now. I think having a PhD just gives you so many more skills rather than just pure research. You know, the project management stuff, the budgeting, the time management, all those different skills help with my job. I feel like it helped me get a job more than anything.

If I can do a PhD, anyone can do a PhD. Find your passion and go for it.

Phd graduate talking to student in stream

Turn your curiosity into environmental impact

Through a higher degree by research with the Faculty of Science and Engineering, you'll explore solutions to environmental challenges, from biodiversity conservation and climate resilience to sustainable land and water management. Guided by expert researchers, you'll contribute to knowledge that helps create a more sustainable future.
Masters by Thesis Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Key steps

1. Topic

Have a research idea you're ready to explore? Submit your topic and let our experts guide your next steps. 

Submit your topic

2. Supervisor

Collaborate with expert supervisors from the Faculty of Science and Engineering, who provide insight and research mentorship. 

Find your supervisor

3. Scholarships

Explore a variety of research scholarships designed to support your health research journey. 

Search research scholarships

Meet some of our leading researchers

Choose from more experts and supervisors across our research community.

Find more supervisors

Man standing in front of a bush

Professor Nigel Andrew

Chair of Science

Nigel is an internationally recognised entomologist. His research explores how inspects respond and adapt to climate change, environmental extremes and ecosystem disruption. Nigel serves on the Australian Research Council College of Experts and is Editor-in-Chief of Austral Ecology.

Dr David Newell

Associate Professor David Newell

Researcher

Dave's work focuses on threatened wildlife, including rainforest frogs, climate change impacts, ecoacoustics and amphibian disease. David also teaches Geographic Information Systems, Wildlife Conservation and Protected Area Management while supervising postgraduate researchers investigating Australia's forest fauna.

Professor Amanda Reichelt-Brushett

Professor Amanda Reichelt-Brushett

Associate Professor

Amanda is an environmental scientist with expertise in understanding and managing human impacts on the environment. Her work spans ecotoxicology, water and sediment quality, ecosystem restoration and pollution management. Amanda also works closely with communities across the Asia-Pacific to address environmental challenges.

Researcher standing in a river

Dr James Sippo

Research Fellow

James specialises in blue carbon, biogeochemistry and coastal ecosystems. His research investigates how mangroves, estuaries and river systems capture and store carbon, helping inform solutions to climate change and sustainable natural resource management.

Academic standing

Professor Kirsten Benkendorff

Professor

Kirsten’s research focuses on the bio-resource potential of marine molluscs, including the effects of climate change and pollutants on seafood quality and immune health. She is also investigating molluscs for medical applications, with a promising anticancer and anti-inflammatory compound in preclinical trials.

Professor Terry Rose

Professor Terry Rose

Associate Dean (Research)

Terry's research interests primarily focus on organic agricultural systems, the impacts of amendments on soils and crops, nitrogen efficiency in subtropical sugarcane systems, subtropical grazing systems, and new high value crops for coastal cropping systems in the subtropics.

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Frequently Asked Questions - Science Research

A Higher Degree by Research (HDR) is an advanced research qualification that allows you to investigate a topic in depth and contribute new knowledge to your field. At Southern Cross University, HDR options include the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Masters by Thesis.

Science research at Southern Cross University spans a diverse range of disciplines, including environmental science, marine science, ecology, agriculture, geoscience, biodiversity conservation and climate change. Research opportunities are available across both established and interdisciplinary fields.

In most cases, you will need an outline of your proposed research topic and interests. Your proposal does not need to be finalised before applying, as it can be refined with guidance from your supervisory team.

Applicants require a relevant honours degree, master's degree, or equivalent research experience. Individual eligibility is assessed during the application process.

Yes. Southern Cross University offers Higher Degree Research Scholarships including Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) scholarships for eligible HDR candidates.

Many HDR candidates choose to study part-time, allowing them to balance research alongside work, family and other commitments. Study options may vary depending on your project and funding arrangements.

Yes. Many projects involve collaboration with government agencies, industry partners, community organisations and research institutions, helping ensure research outcomes have practical impact beyond academia. Ask us about Co-Funded Industry Scholarships. 

HDR candidates may access specialised laboratories, field sites, analytical equipment, research centres and collaborative research environments relevant to their discipline and project.

A PhD typically takes three to four years of full-time study, while a Masters by Thesis generally takes around two years full-time. Part-time study options are also available.

Yes, Southern Cross University welcomes application from international candidates and offers support through the application, enrolment and research journey. International applicants will need to provide the relevant qualifications as part of the application process.

Yes. Many projects involve collaboration with government agencies, industry partners, community organisations and research institutions, helping ensure research outcomes have practical impact beyond academia. Ask us about Co-Funded Industry Scholarships. 

The first step is to identify your research area and potential supervisor. If you need assistance with finding a supervisors, email fse-hdr@scu.edu.au. You can submit your application through Southern Cross University Graduate School