PhD position, Murdoch University, Perth

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PhD position (Perth, Australia) - Phosphite Induced Resistance to
Phytophthora cinnamomi.



The oomycete pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi is causing a devastating
pandemic of native Australian plant species which threatens the
sustainability of many native ecosystems with consequent effects on
fauna. Many of the threatened plant species are on the verge of
extinction as they are unique to Australia. The disease can be managed
using the chemical phosphite, an analogue of phosphate. Application of
phosphite makes plants to resistant to infection. A position is
available for a postgraduate student with interests in plant molecular
biology and plant pathology to investigate how phosphite induces
resistance in plants. The focus will be on the use of Arabidopsis
thaliana as a model system. The project will involve the use of
transcriptomic, metabolomic, or proteomic approaches and the
construction of transgenic plants to investigate how resistance
develops.



The project is a joint Murdoch University / University of Western
Australia project funded by the Australian Research Council in
partnership with Dept. of Environment and Conservation, Minerals and
Energy Research Institute of Western Australia, Alcoa World Alumina, and
TiWest. The student will be based with the Phytophthora research team at
Murdoch University in Perth but will be working with a multidisciplinary
team including plant ecophysiologists, plant molecular biologists, and
plant pathologists from the University of Western Australia, and the
industry partners. A tax free stipend of $25,118 and a generous
operating allowance will apply. In addition there will be opportunities
for travel to national and international conferences as well as
additional funding opportunities and interaction with other scientists
and students.



The successful applicant should hold a First Class or Upper 2A Honours,
Postgraduate Diploma or Masters degree (or equivalent) and must have a
basic understanding of molecular biology, plant pathology or
microbiology, and, or the willingness, interest and ability to acquire
these skills. They should also be an Australian Citizen or Permanent
Resident. For further information regarding the position please
contact: Prof Giles Hardy, 08 9497 9385, email [Only registered users see links. ] or
Dr Philip O'Brien, 08 9360 2785, email: [Only registered users see links. ]



Applicants are requested to submit an application in writing together
with their CV, a copy of their academic transcript and the names and
contact details for two referees (including at least one university
referee). Please send applications to Dr P. O'Brien, School of
Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA
6150 ( [Only registered users see links. ] )





______________________________________

Dr. Oliver Berkowitz

Murdoch University

School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology

Centre for Phytophthora Science and Management

South Street

Murdoch WA 6150

Perth, Australia

P: +61 - (0)8 9360 7537

F: +61 - (0)8 9310 7084

E: [Only registered users see links. ]