I am always interested in talking with undergraduate students who would like to gain research experience (i.e., volunteering) or transition to an Honours degree. Undergraduates that obtained a second+third year average of at least 80% are encouraged to apply. Please have a think about whether you would want to transition from Honours to Masters.
I’m also happy to talk with prospective Masters and PhD students (nationals or internationals) that already have either a MSc (for PhD), or a 85%+ Honours (for MSc). Without a MSc or an unequivocally outstanding Honours, ideally with a publication, you would not be competitive for a scholarship. Each year there are two rounds for MSc and PhD applications. The main round closes on October 31st (domestics) or September 30th (internationals); the mid-year round closes April 30th (domestics) or March 31st (internationals). Please leave plenty of time to complete the (lengthy) application forms for candidature and scholarship. If you would like to join the Sleep Ecophysiology Group, then please send me an e-mail with a cover letter detailing your interests, experience and career aspirations along with an up-to-date CV. I am very open to hearing ideas.
*Here are two of my own for future MSc/PhD students to pursue: (1) Immune function of sleep: Effects of disease on sleep in birds and (2) Sleep-dependent cognition in flatworms
Lastly, I am very happy to talk with prospective post-doctoral research fellows, but you will need to secure independent funding (e.g., an ARC DECRA). Applications for DECRA Research Fellowships have a closing date in February each year. That said, the university has an internal grant pipeline system and you need to register your intent by early June, before going onto to apply to the ARC through La Trobe University. In any case, send me an e-mail and we can discuss possible ways forward.
A/Prof John Lesku
La Trobe University
Melbourne, Australia
Sleep Ecophysiology Group 