We are looking for highly motivated PhD students to join an international research team on a recently funded ARC Discovery project. The project will focus on understanding the role of seagrass microbes and genetics in mediating seagrass response to environmental stress.
The overall aim is to integrate plant and microbial ecology and genetics to determine how plant-root microbes control seagrass responses to environmental stress. The project involves a multidisciplinary team of scientists with expertise in the fields of experimental field ecology, environmental microbiology and environmental management.
The project is a collaboration among the individuals below with expertise across marine plant ecology, microbial ecology, environmental sciences and plant genetics:
- A/Prof. Paul Gribben (UNSW Sydney, SIMS)
- A/Prof Ziggy Marzinelli (The University of Sydney, SIMS)
- Prof Michelle Waycott (U.Adelaide)
- A/Prof Katie Dafforn (MaqU)
- Prof Staffan Kjelleberg (Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences SCELSE)
Opportunities exist to conduct research in Australia and internationally.
APPLICANTS will need to be highly motivated and interested in integrated approaches to ecology. Underwater fieldwork skills including snorkelling, and car driver’s licence are needed. Microbiology and/or genetics skills, boating and/or SCUBA diving experience are desirable but not essential.
Start date:
Flexible. Please see scholarship opportunities detailed below.
Scholarships for Australian and International students:
Students are expected to apply for an Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship through UNSW. More information can be found on the UNSW website here. International scholarships are highly competitive. Please note the following minimum requirements apply for an international scholarship:
- BSc equivalent to First Class Honours and/or Masters by Research
- and/or at least one publication in ISI or Scopus scientific journals
Contact:
- A/Prof. Paul Gribben (p.gribben@unsw.edu.au)
- Dr Ziggy Marzinelli (e.marzinelli@sydney.edu.au).
Please include a cover letter, copy of your CV and academic transcript.