We have a number of PhD scholarships available as part of my ARC Laureate Fellowship- Here's our advertising blurb:
ARC Laureate Fellowship PhD
Scholarships- Marine Cyanobacteria
Photosynthetic marine microorganisms are responsible for the
production of half of the oxygen in our atmosphere, equal to the contribution
of all land-based vegetation. They underpin the entire marine food web and
shape the health and sustainability of all ocean resources. Despite their critical role we know
surprisingly little about this crucial group. The Paulsen research group is using
a range of cutting edge methodologies (ecogenomics, transcriptomics,
single-cell analyses, mass spectrometry, bioinformatics and modelling) to
investigate the lifestyle of these key primary producers.
We are looking for motivated candidates with excellent academic
records to join our ARC Laureate Award funded research team. Our group is
located in a state-of-the-art research facility which is part of the
Biomolecular Frontiers Research Centre within Macquarie University, Sydney,
Australia. Our dynamic research team has
a wide range of expertise in microbiology, molecular biology, oceanography,
bioinformatics, systems and synthetic biology. We currently have a number of
scholarships (both Masters and PhD) that span the following research areas:
This research project
will involve fieldwork at coastal sites and on Australia’s new research vessel
RV Investigator, working in blue
water from the tropics to the Antarctic ice-edge. Techniques include single
cell genomics and Stable-Isotope-Probing to unravel interactions and trace the
flow of cyanobacteria-derived compounds and energy through the ecosystem.
2.
How marine cyanobacterial adapt
to environmental change
Many variable factors, biotic (microbial competition, infection,
predation) and abiotic (seawater chemistry and physical parameters), influence
the distribution and survival of marine cyanobacteria. A range of interdisciplinary
projects will use a combination of "omics" tools (e.g. comparative
genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics) to study the molecular responses of
these microbes to relevant environmental factors.
3.
Building virtual cyanobacteria
Developing computational models at both a single cell
and ecosystem level. This project will
create and model metabolic processes, and generate working virtual
cell/ecosystem units supported by experimental data. This research will deliver
the first model of marine phototrophic organism and address fundamental
questions such as ‘what defines the minimal set of genes required for a free
living photosynthetic organism?’
4.
Cyanobacterial transporter
characterisation
Membrane transporters have a central role in determining the
success of an individual in any given environment; essential for nutrient
import, waste export and maintenance of osmolarity. This project will have an
informatic focus, involving developing tools for handling large datasets,
algorithms for transporter characterisation and visualisation. Transporter
characterisation is a long-term interest and strength of the Paulsen group and this
project will integrate closely with the cyanobacterial modelling work.
5. Synthetic Biology, building a molecular tool
kit
Novel gene circuits
that respond to signals in a predictable way can be built experimentally by
modelling metabolic and regulatory networks in
silico. This project will identify and optimise vital molecular pathways
within cyanobacteria and develop genetic tools to undertake high-throughput
mutant screens, validate models and enable us to optimise cyanobacteria for
bioengineering.
These PhD positions carry scholarships of AUD$25,392
per annum, tax exempt.
Application process:
Interested individuals are invited to
discuss these projects with Laureate Fellow Professor Paulsen (ian.paulsen@mq.edu.au). Initial expression of interest should contain
a CV and short statement of your research interests. There is potential for
additional projects which connect to the overall research focus of the group to
be considered and developed together with prospective candidates.
Application for the PhD positions will be
through the Macquarie University HDR website. Please see the website and links
within for further information about eligibility and submission procedures. (http://hdr.mq.edu.au/information_about/Scholarships/schol-opportunities/hdr_scholarships_domestic_and_international).
Learn more about Macquarie University's
profile, the facilities available and its campus life (http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/university_profile/
and http://www.mq.edu.au/on_campus.php)
