[Aqualist] PhD opportunity at University of Tasmania [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]

[HEIJNIS, Henk]

PhD scholarship

Mining information on historic plankton records over long time scales: sediment depth cores assessed by microfossil and ancient DNA approaches


An exciting PhD research opportunity is open for a talented graduate student to assemble how Australia's coastal plankton ecosystems have fluctuated over the past 50 to 1000 years with respect to algal and jellyfish blooms, impacts from introduced species, climate change and increased human utilisation of coastal resources. This PhD research program will analyse dated sediment cores from New South Wales and Tasmanian coasts, using a combination of traditional microfossil and cutting edge ancient DNA technology. In pilot studies we were able to newly detect aDNA of very numerous taxa that do not produce microscopic fossils.

The project is funded by the Australian Research Council and supervised by Professors Gustaaf Hallegraeff and Andrew McMinn. It is based at the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) of the University of Tasmania, and conducted in collaboration with the Australian Centre for Ancient DNA (ACAD) of the University of Adelaide and Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO).

Graduates with a strong academic record in Earth or Biological Sciences, and strong microscopic and computing skills are encouraged to apply. Experience in molecular genetics is desirable but not essential. Applications for this PhD position are open to domestic and international students, provided the latter are competitive for fee waiver scholarships.


Essential skills/experience:  Demonstrated  background knowledge of  microscopic plankton diatoms and dinoflagellates. High level microscopic and quantitative computing skills.

Desirable skills/experience: Understanding of sediment dating techniques. Background skills in molecular genetics.


AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY. Lodge an application for candidature and scholarship online

https://student-utas.studylink.com/index.cfm?event=security.showLogin&msg=eventsecured&fr=sp&en=default





Professor Henk Heijnis
Leader Environment
Nuclear Science & Technology and Landmark Infrastructure
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
Office: Building 21A - Room 0055
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+61 2 9717 9086
0476854693
henk.heijnis at ansto.gov.au<mailto:henk.heijnis at ansto.gov.au>
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"It's not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change." (Charles Darwin)


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