PhD @ The University of Adelaide

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Two positions are available and are open to both international and domestic students. Applicants should have interest and a record of exceptional academic achievement in at least one of the following areas: ancient DNA, evolutionary biology, bioinformatics, or molecular biology. The projects will suit hard-working and motivated candidates who can demonstrate independent thinking and good communication skills. Training will focus on the generation and analysis of Next Generation Sequencing data, with potential for fieldwork and opportunities to gain skills in both molecular biology laboratory techniques and bioinformatics.

The University of Adelaide - Seek Light

  • PhD opportunities available in ancient plant genomics and domestication at the Australian Centre for Ancient DNA (ACAD), Adelaide, Australia
  • We are currently conducting a number of exciting projects investigating the genomic evolution of ancient cereal species during periods of environmental change associated with the beginning of agriculture in the Near East (supported by Australian Research Council grants). Key aims of these projects are to:
  1. Use advanced ancient DNA and next-generation sequencing approaches to characterise the genomic diversity of ancient wheat, barley, and rye crops
  2. Identify novel alleles associated with stress tolerance to salt, water, and disease
  3. Perform functional characterisation and structural modelling of target loci identify potential changes in protein structure
  4. Use ionomics approaches to analyse the interaction between change genetic diversity responses

Ancient cereal seeds and environmental samples have been taken from Areni-1, a Late Chalcolithic cave site in southern Armenia. The cave contains a large array of ancient plant material and cultural artifacts, including the world’s oldest shoe (http://news.nationalgeographic.com.au/news/2010/06/100609-worlds-oldest-leather-shoe-armenia-science) and evidence of the world’s first winery (http://news.nationalgeographic.com.au/news/2011/01/110111-oldest-wine-press-making-winery-armenia-science-ucla).

  • ACAD collaborates with a team of high-profile international researchers from Europe and the USA, and successful applicants will be co-supervised by Prof. Alan Cooper and Dr Jimmy Breen at ACAD, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide. For more information about ACAD, check out http://en.gravatar.com/acadadelaide for links to Twitter, Facebook, our blog, recent publications and the official website.

How To Apply

  • Interested applicants are encouraged to send a resume, a cover letter, and the contact details of three referees to Dr Jimmy Breen ([email protected]). Scholarships now open for mid-year intakes. Closing date for international students is 30th April, and 31st May for domestic students.
  • Both the Australian Department of Immigration and University of Adelaide expect international applicants to meet the English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements. The ELP is based on high scores in IELTS(International English Language Testing System) or TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). For further information please refer to http://international.adelaide.edu.au/apply/admission/.

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