Fantastic opportunity for a highly motivated PhD student to join an international research project focused on understanding the largely unexplored role of seagrass microbes in mediating the effects of extreme climatic events.
The overall aim is to integrate plant and microbial ecology to determine how plant-root microbes control seagrass responses to extreme events such as low salinity (from rainfall events) and heatwaves. 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 led by A/Prof. Paul Gribben (UNSW Sydney, SIMS), A/Prof Ziggy Marzinelli (The University of Sydney, SIMS) and Dr Tim Glasby (NSW DPI) but will involve collaboration with a broad range of national and international scientists from universities (UNSW, USYD, UWA), government agencies and leading research institutes (Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences). Potential projects along the spectrum of understanding seagrass adaptation to environmental change and how these may be mediated by root microbes are welcome.
APPLICANTS will need to be highly motivated and interested in marine and microbial ecology. Underwater fieldwork skills including snorkelling, and car driver’s licence are needed. Microbiology 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.