PhD in Ramifications of Climate Change on Microbial Ecology in the Pacific Ocean
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| PhD in Newcastle University, Australia (image credited to wikimedia) |
Microbial biodiversity in the tidal zone is responsible for important biological processes such as geochemical cycling and carbon sequestration. Climate change in the Pacific Islands has resulted in the restructuring of these zones affecting local marine ecology.
The tidal interface between the ocean and land is a complex microbiome. Increased rates of shoreline recession and extreme meteorological events due to climate change have resulted in alterations to microbial diversity. This research project will assemble locally relevant biodiversity markers to monitor the effects of climate in the Pacific Islands. Next-generation technologies will also be employed to assess the changing microbial profiles at the tidal interface. The research will mostly focus on cyanobacteria and their role in nutrient cycling in the Pacific Ocean. The microbial biodiversity and metabolomic profiles of different atolls will also be investigated. Expected outcomes include the development of a predictive model to assess the effects of global warming on microbial diversity.
PhD Opportunity Details
Funding: A scholarship opportunity may also be available pending approvals and selection by the supervisor. The scholarship opportunity may be offered to the successful candidate subject to the grant being fully established.
Supervisor: Brett Neilan
Available to: Domestic and International students
Eligibility Criteria
An applicant for admission to candidature for a Doctoral Degree (Research) shall:
- have satisfied all of the requirements for admission to the degree of Bachelor with Honours Class 1 or Honours Class II, Division 1 or any other degree approved for this purpose by the Assistant Dean (Research Training); or
- have satisfied all of the requirements for admission to the degree of Bachelor in the University or any other degree approved for this purpose by the Assistant Dean (Research Training), and have achieved by subsequent work and study a standard recognised by the Assistant Dean (Research Training) as equivalent to at least Honours Class II, Division 1; or
- in exceptional cases submit evidence of possessing such other academic or professional qualifications and/or experience as may be approved by the Assistant Dean (Research Training) on the recommendation of the relevant School; or
- in the disciplines of education, medical physics, nursing, social work, social sciences and surgery have completed a minimum standard of professional experience as required by the Assistant Dean (Research Training) on the recommendation of the School; An Australian honours degree with Class 1 or Class 2 division 1. For international students, a four year bachelor degree including a significant research training component attained at a high standard, is commonly considered equivalent to an Australian honours degree; and
In addition, the English language proficiency requirements as described in the English Language Policy.
Application Procedure
Interested applicants should send an email expressing their interest along with scanned copies of their academic transcripts, CV, a brief statement of their research interests and a proposal that specifically links them to the research project.
Please send the email expressing interest to Brett.Neilan@newcastle.edu.au by 5pm on 30 June 2021.
Applications Close 30 June 2021