A postgraduate research opportunity at the University of Otago.
Details
- Close date
- Friday, 9 November 2018
- Academic background
- Sciences, Health Sciences
- Host campus
- Dunedin
- Qualification
- PhD
- Department
- Biochemistry
- Supervisor
- Professor Peter Dearden
Overview
PhD Students required for Future Bees, a research programme transforming honeybee breeding.
Honeybees are a critical component of our agricultural production systems. Their role in managed pollination services as well as the generation of hive products such as honey make them of vital importance to food production. Honeybees are beset with emerging diseases, and impacts from agricultural chemicals challenging their continued role in agricultural systems. Improving bee reproduction, health and genetics will be important for the ongoing productivity of both New Zealand, and international agricultural production.
As a response to these challenges, the University of Otago leads a broad consortium of researchers in a research programme named ‘Selecting Future Bees’.
The placement and development of germ cells in honeybee development, and the regulation of germ stem cells in honeybee ovaries and testes, are not well understood. To develop fundamental knowledge underpinning novel reproductive technologies in bees we are seeking a PhD student to use investigate germ cells in honeybees. The project will involve the use of CRISPR/cas9, hybridisation reaction chain, RNA interference and immunochemistry technologies.
We are seeking a highly-motivated PhD student to work with us in this important area.
Further details are available upon request.
The successful student will be required to have strong laboratory and technical skills, and a strong background in biological sciences. The PhD student will be based at the University of Otago, embedded in the Selecting Future Bees team. The project will be supervised by Prof Peter Dearden (University of Otago). The candidate will be required to gain a scholarship ($25,000 + fees) from the University of Otago scholarship fund (or equivalent).
