NEWS |
PhD programs in Algal Eco-Physiology
School
of Biological Sciences, Monash University
Two
PhD positions are available in the area of algal ecophysiology
under the supervision of Professor John Beardall. |
1) Ecophysiology of inorganic carbon acquisition by
the toxic cyanobacterium Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii.
This project is supported by a scholarship linked to an ARC
Linkage project with South East Queensland Water (SEQW). The
successful applicant will carry out research examining the
role that changes in water alkalinity and elevated CO2 levels
are likely to have on inorganic carbon acquisition, photosynthesis
and growth of this organism. Studies will also investigate
the role of light intensity in regulating these phenomena.
The project will add to our understanding of factors controlling
toxic cyanobacterial blooms and improve the ability of SEQW
to manage their water supplies.
2) The role of the frustule in inorganic carbon utilisation
by diatoms. Diatoms account for 25% of global primary
productivity and form the base of many marine and freshwater
food webs. They are encased in a porous silica matrix called
a frustule, which within a species is reproduced exactly down
to a few nanometers, but among species is highly variable.
The functions of these nanostructures are unknown.This project
(which is part of an ARC Discovery project combining expertise
in microfluidics, biochemistry, silica chemistry, nanoimaging
and the response of diatoms to natural and anthropogenic gradients
to produce an integrated understanding of the role of frustule
nanostructures in the success of diatoms.) will involve studies
of the relationship between frustule nanostructure, carbonic
anhydrase activity and inorganic carbon (CO2 and bicarbonate)
utilisation in diatoms exposed to a range of environmental
factors. The student will interact strongly with parallel
investigations on other aspects of frustule structure and
function carried out in Prof. Jim Mitchell’s laboratory
at Flinders University. A scholarship will be provided to
suitably qualified applicants from the Faculty of Science
Dean's Postgraduate Research Scholarship program.
These
projects fit well with the range of existing projects on
a carbon acquisition and metabolism in microalgae in Professor
Beardall’s laboratory (see http://www.biolsci.monash.edu.au/staff/beardall/index.html)
and are well supported by available facilities and a dynamic
laboratory environment.
Applicants for both positions should be Australian or New
Zealand citizens and have a First Class Honours degree or
its equivalent. Applications should take the form of a recent
CV, including contact details for 2 academic referees, and
a covering letter stating why you think you are suited to
the position. Applications close Jan 12 2010 and the successful
applicants would be expected to start as soon as possible
after Feb 1st 2010.
Further details may be obtained from Prof John Beardall
(john.beardall@sci.monash.edu.au)
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