Two PhD positions available at the intersection of genomics, physiology
and freshwater biology, as applied to understanding climate impacts.Project 1: Investigating the Direct and Indirect Impacts of rising CO2
on the Kākahi (New Zealand Freshwater Mussel)
Fully funded PhD position, Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka - University of Otago/
Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington/ NIWA, New Zealand
We are recruiting a PhD student who will use the latest tools in genomics
and molecular biology to understand the direct and indirect impacts of
rising CO2 levels on the Kākahi, the New Zealand Freshwater Mussel. This
taonga (treasured) species has been affected both directly (e.g. pH
changes) and indirectly (e.g. algae compositional changes) by rising
CO2 levels, and our work aims to shed light on what might be occurring
at a molecular and phenotypic level in response to these challenges.
This work is part of an MBIE Endeavour programme (Safeguarding Te Mana o
te Awa o Waikato from Emerging Climatic Pressures), and includes exciting
opportunities to collaborate with world-leading scientists at research
institutions across New Zealand, work alongside the kaitiaki (guardians)
of this species, and gain sought-after skills.
The project will involve
* Sampling Kākahi alongside hapori Māori and other scientists,
contrasting their biology under differing environmental conditions
* Performing comparisons of morphological features (using
histological and imaging approaches)
* Producing cutting-edge genomic and transcriptomic resources
* Investigating the cellular-level differences in key life
stages/tissues, contrasting composition and gene expression with
SPLiTseq-based single cell RNAseq
This project would suit a student with some existing research experience
in fields such as genomic analysis, bioinformatics, or molecular biology,
and an interest in fieldwork. The doctoral student will be enrolled at the
University of Otago, but will work in close collaboration with scientists
at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington (particularly Dr
Chris Cornwall, who will co-supervise this work), Lincoln Agritech and
NIWA (the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric research).
This position comes with a stipend ($28,600 NZ per annum), a tuition fee
waiver, and will receive further support from the broader work programme,
including dedicated networking and training opportunities. In particular,
there will be opportunities to work alongside scientists and students
studying freshwater algae in the same ecosystem, which will lead to
exciting collaborative opportunities.
For more information please contact Nathan Kenny
(nathan.kenny@otago.ac.nz). To apply, please send a CV, a few paragraphs
stating your skillset, fit, and reason for interest in the position,
and two academic referees.
International applicants with a strong academic and research record are
eligible for funding under this scheme (although travel/visa costs are
not covered) and are encouraged to apply.
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Project 2: How will freshwater acidification impact algal communities?
Fully funded PhD position, Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of
Wellington/University of Otago/Lincoln University/Cawthron, New Zealand
We are recruiting a PhD student who will use the latest tools in
eco-physiology and molecular biology to understand the direct and indirect
impacts of rising CO2 levels on algal communities. This work aims to
shed light on the interactive effects of decreasing pH and increasing CO2
levels on the physiology of different algal species, as well as exploring
species shifts in freshwater ecosystems to inform how these systems
might respond to future acidification due to increasing atmospheric CO2.
This work is part of an MBIE Endeavour programme (Safeguarding Te Mana o
te Awa o Waikato from Emerging Climatic Pressures), and includes exciting
opportunities to collaborate with world-leading scientists at research
institutions across Aotearoa New Zealand, work alongside the kaitiaki
(guardians) of this species, and gain sought-after skills.
The project will involve:
- Sampling algal species alongside hapori Māori and other scientists,
contrasting their biology under differing environmental conditions.
- Performing comparisons of physiological traits (using eco-physiology,
molecular biology and isotope chemistry).
- Investigating the cellular-level differences in key species,
contrasting composition and gene expression with transcriptomic
comparisons and SPLiTseq-based single cell RNAseq.
This project would suit a student with some existing research experience
in fields such as algal physiology, bioinformatics, freshwater ecology,
or molecular biology, and an interest in fieldwork. The doctoral student
will be enrolled at Victoria University of Wellington, but will work in
close collaboration with scientists at University of Otago (Dr Nathan
Kenny, co-supervisor), Lincoln University/Cawthron (Dr Susie Wood,
co-supervisor), and Lincoln Agritech.
This position comes with a stipend ($35,000 NZ per annum minus any
insurance costs), a tuition fee waiver, and will receive further support
from the broader work programme, including dedicated networking and
training opportunities. In particular, there will be opportunities to
work alongside scientists and students studying freshwater mussels in the
same ecosystem, which will lead to exciting collaborative opportunities.
For more information, please contact Christopher Cornwall
(Christopher.cornwall@vuw.ac.n
paragraphs stating your skillset, aspirations, and reason for interest
in the position, and two academic referees to the address above.
International applicants with a strong academic and research record are
eligible for funding under this scheme (although travel/visa costs are
not covered) and are encouraged to apply.
Nathan Kenny <nathan.kenny@otago.ac.nz>
