PhD position 1. Stomatal opening (Molecular Biology/Bioinformatics) – PhD position 2. Stomatal opening (Plant Physiology/Molecular Biology) – PhD position 3. Cellular responses to water (Plant Physiology/Genetics/Molecular Biology) – Applicants who meet the selection criteria listed in the project description/s, including holding a first-class Honours or Masters degree or equivalent qualifications and experience in a relevant field are encouraged to apply.
PhD position 1. Stomatal opening (Molecular Biology/Bioinformatics):
About the research project: The evolution of the adjustable stomatal pore was a major event in the development of life on land. Stomatal opening enables plants to acquire carbon dioxide for photosynthesis and growth, while closure prevents excessive plant water loss. In flowering plants, stomata open to acquire CO2 in response to signals including blue and red light, low intracellular CO2, and the plant’s internal timekeeper – the circadian clock. Circadian rhythms enable plants to predict and prepare for regular environmental changes including dawn and dusk.
The genetic pathways that drive stomatal opening are currently limited to a small number of plant species. We do not yet understand how these pathways evolved and if there is diversity in genetic mechanisms for stomatal opening between evolutionarily-distant plant groups.
This project aims to investigate the evolution of molecular mechanisms for stomatal opening in land plants. Specifically, this project will examine the diversity of opening mechanisms that operate in modern land plants through transcriptomic, proteomic, and bioinformatic approaches.
Funding
Applicants will be considered for a Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship or Tasmania Graduate Research Scholarship (TGRS) which, if successful, provides:
- a living allowance stipend of $28,854 per annum (2022 rate, indexed annually) for 3.5 years
- a relocation allowance of up to $2,000
- a tuition fees offset covering the cost of tuition fees for up to four years (domestic applicants only)
If successful, international applicants will receive a University of Tasmania Fees Offset for up to four years.
As part of the application process you may indicate if you do not wish to be considered for scholarship funding.
Eligibility
Applicants should review the Higher Degree by Research minimum entry requirements.
Additional eligibility criteria specific to this project/scholarship:
- Applicants must be able to undertake the project on-campus
Applicants must have experience in one or more of the following disciplines:
- Molecular biology
- Bioinformatics
Selection Criteria
The project is competitively assessed and awarded. Selection is based on academic merit and suitability to the project as determined by the College.
Additional essential selection criteria specific to this project:
- Applicants must be able to demonstrate strong research, analytical and communication skills and the ability to work independently and as part of a research team
Additional desirable selection criteria specific to this project:
- Experience with transcriptomics and/or proteomics (benchwork and/or data analysis)
Application process
There is a three-step application process:
- Select your project, and check you meet the eligibility and selection criteria;
- Contact the Primary Supervisor, Dr Frances Sussmilch: Frances.Sussmilch@utas.edu.au to discuss your suitability and the project’s requirements; and
- Submit an application by the closing date listed above.
- Copy and paste the title of the project from this advertisement into your application. If you don’t correctly do this your application may be rejected.
- As part of your application, you will be required to submit a covering letter, a CV including 2 x referees and your project research proposal.
Following the application closing date applications will be assessed within the College. Applicants should expect to receive notification of the outcome by email by the advertised outcome date.
Closing date: 18 July 2022
PhD position 2. Stomatal opening (Plant Physiology/Molecular Biology):
About the research project: The evolution of the adjustable stomatal pore was a major event in the development of life on land. Stomatal opening enables plants to acquire carbon dioxide for photosynthesis and growth, while closure prevents excessive plant water loss. In flowering plants, stomata open to acquire CO2 in response to signals including blue and red light, low intracellular CO2, and the plant’s internal timekeeper – the circadian clock. Circadian rhythms enable plants to predict and prepare for regular environmental changes including dawn and dusk.
The genetic pathways that drive stomatal opening are currently limited to a small number of plant species. We do not yet understand how these pathways evolved and if there is diversity in genetic mechanisms for stomatal opening between evolutionarily-distant plant groups. This project aims to investigate key evolutionary steps that enabled plants to control stomatal opening and the diversity of opening mechanisms that operate in modern land plants.
Specifically, this project will test for circadian regulation of stomatal movement in non-flowering plant species, including those that exhibit nocturnal stomatal opening, through physiological and genetic approaches.
Primary Supervisor
Meet Dr Frances Sussmilch: Frances.Sussmilch@utas.edu.au
Funding
Applicants will be considered for a Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship or Tasmania Graduate Research Scholarship (TGRS) which, if successful, provides:
- a living allowance stipend of $28,854 per annum (2022 rate, indexed annually) for 3.5 years
- a relocation allowance of up to $2,000
- a tuition fees offset covering the cost of tuition fees for up to four years (domestic applicants only)
If successful, international applicants will receive a University of Tasmania Fees Offset for up to four years.
As part of the application process you may indicate if you do not wish to be considered for scholarship funding.
Eligibility
Applicants should review the Higher Degree by Research minimum entry requirements.
Additional eligibility criteria specific to this project/scholarship:
- Applicants must already have been awarded a first-class Honours degree or hold equivalent qualifications or relevant and substantial research experience in an appropriate sector
- Applicants must be able to demonstrate strong research, analytical and communication skills and the ability to work independently and as part of a research team
Selection Criteria
The project is competitively assessed and awarded. Selection is based on academic merit and suitability to the project as determined by the College.
Additional essential selection criteria specific to this project:
- Plant physiology
- Genetics
- Molecular biology
Additional desirable selection criteria specific to this project:
- Experience with techniques for examining stomatal physiology and/or plant transformation.
Application process
There is a three-step application process:
- Select your project, and check you meet the eligibility and selection criteria;
- Contact the Primary Supervisor, Dr Frances Sussmilch Frances.Sussmilch@utas.edu.au to discuss your suitability and the project’s requirements; and
- Submit an application by the closing date listed above.
- Copy and paste the title of the project from this advertisement into your application. If you don’t correctly do this your application may be rejected.
- As part of your application, you will be required to submit a covering letter, a CV including 2 x referees and your project research proposal.
Following the application closing date applications will be assessed within the College. Applicants should expect to receive notification of the outcome by email by the advertised outcome date.
Apply now Closing date 18 July 2022
PhD position 3. Cellular responses to water (Plant Physiology/Genetics/Molecular Biology):
About the research project: The successful conquest of dry land by plants depended on the evolution of mechanisms to manage the acquisition and loss of water. These mechanisms are fundamentally important to plant success in nature and in agriculture.
Plants must maintain the turgor of their cells in order to grow and retain the rigidity and structural integrity of tissues and organs, including leaves. Loss of cell turgor during water loss causes wilting, and at some critical point tissue death. Plants can increase cell turgor by increasing the concentration of salts and organic molecules to drive the uptake of water via osmosis. The capacity for a plant to maintain cell turgor pressure is vital for growth and is strongly correlated with drought tolerance.
The aim of this project is to understand the evolution and function of mechanisms for osmoregulation and cell growth, allowing success in natural and agricultural systems. This project will incorporate physiological approaches to investigate the relative capacity of diverse, evolutionarily-distant land plant groups to regulate cell turgor, in addition to genetic approaches in key model land plant species to determine how this process is regulated at a molecular level.
Primary Supervisor
Meet Dr Frances Sussmilch: Frances.Sussmilch@utas.edu.au
Funding
The successful applicant will receive a scholarship which provides:
- a living allowance stipend of $28,854 per annum (2022 rate, indexed annually) for 3.5 years
- a tuition fees offset covering the cost of tuition fees for up to four years (domestic applicants only)
International applicants will receive a University of Tasmania Fees Offset for up to four years.
Eligibility
Applicants should review the Higher Degree by Research minimum entry requirements.
Additional eligibility criteria specific to this project/scholarship:
- Applicants must already have been awarded a first-class Honours degree or hold equivalent qualifications or relevant and substantial research experience in an appropriate sector
- Applicants must be able to demonstrate strong research and analytical skills
Applicants from the following disciplines are encouraged to apply:
- Plant physiology
- Genetics
- Molecular biology
Selection Criteria
The project is competitively assessed and awarded. Selection is based on academic merit and suitability to the project as determined by the College.
Additional essential selection criteria specific to this project:
- Research experience in the fields of molecular biology, plant physiology and/or genetics
- Excellent written and verbal scientific communication skills
- Ability to work independently and as part of a research team
- Quality of academic record
Application process
There is a three-step application process:
- Select your project, and check you meet the eligibility and selection criteria;
- Contact the Primary Supervisor, Dr Frances Sussmilch Frances.Sussmilch@utas.edu.au to discuss your suitability and the project’s requirements; and
- Submit an application by the closing date listed above.
- Copy and paste the title of the project from this advertisement into your application. If you don’t correctly do this your application may be rejected.
- As part of your application, you will be required to submit a covering letter, a CV including 2 x referees and your project research proposal.
Following the application closing date applications will be assessed within the College. Applicants should expect to receive notification of the outcome by email by the advertised outcome date.
Apply now Closing date 18 July 2022