Defining how inter-bacterial symbioses regulate aquatic ecosystem health
Value
$37000 per year (RTP Stipend rate, indexed annually); additional funds ($7.5k) are available during the course of the PhD for travel and other directly PhD-related expenses.
Duration
3.5 years.
Status
Open
Opens
19/01/2023Closes
01/12/2024Overview
Planktonic bacteria play crucial roles in regulating the productivity, health and function of aquatic ecosystems. Recent evidence suggests that the growth and ecological impacts of aquatic bacteria is potentially strongly regulated by previously over-looked inter-bacterial interactions. This project will combine cutting-edge approaches in genomics, phenomics and microfluidics to (i) identify new symbiotic interactions between bacteria, (ii) elucidate the key chemical currencies exchanged between bacterial partners, (iii) determine the behavioural mechanisms involved in the establishment and maintenance of bacterial symbioses, and (iv) assess how these symbioses govern important ecosystem-level processes. The outcomes of this project will deliver a fundamentally new perspective on the processes controlling the health of important aquatic ecosystems, including the ocean, rivers and lakes.
Who is eligible?
Applicants can be International or domestic student - either permanent Australian residents or New Zealand citizens. To be eligible for this applicantion, applicants must have completed a UTS recognised degree in
• MSc Research or MSc Coursework with a research thesis of at least 6 months,
• or Bachelor Honours degree with 1st Class, or 2nd Class Division 1, or division 1 honours, or an equivalent or higher qualification,
• or submitted other evidence of general and professional qualifications that demonstrates potential to pursue graduate research studies.
International students
Visa requirement: To obtain a student visa to study in Australia, international students must enrol full time and on campus. Australian student visa regulations also require international students studying on student visas to complete the course within the standard full-time duration. Students can extend their courses only in exceptional circumstances.
Selection process
There are 2 positions for this Scholarship (1 domestic student and 1 Interntional student) and selection will be based on first come serve basis.
Eligible students must have
- Demonstrated experience in microbiology, molecular biology or analytical chemistry.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of the team.
- High level of motivation and enthusiasm.
- Ability to commence studies as soon as possible.
How to apply
Applicants should send their CV, a ½ page expression of interest to Prof. Justin Seymour and Dr Jean-Baptiste Raina before the closing date. Shortlisted candidates will be advised with further details.
Need more information? Contact...
Please contact Prof. Justin Seymour for further information.
Other information
This project will be hosted within the Ocean Microbes Group (OMG), within the Climate Change Cluster (C3) at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). The OMG is one of 6 key research programs within C3 and has a broad focus on elucidating the ecological and biogeochemical functions of microbes in marine environments. C3 is one of the UTS “research strength” institutes and currently hosts 90 researchers, providing a vibrant environment and a comprehensive suite of field and laboratory-based analytical equipment and research infrastructure that will be available to the successful candidate throughout this project.
