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PhD Studentship: Australia's native sorghums: discovering new wild crop relatives

Employer
Global Academy Jobs
Location
Australia
Closing date
Jan 1, 2018

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Sector
Veterinary Medicine
Hours
Full Time
Organization Type
University and College
Jobseeker Type
Academic (e.g. 'Lecturer')

Job Details

Queensland Alliance for Agriculture & Food Innovation

The Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI) is a research institute of the University of Queensland (UQ) which was established in 2010 and comprises of three research centres – the Centre for Plant Science, the Centre for Animal Science, the Centre for Nutrition and Food Sciences.

QAAFI’s team of 450 researchers, postgraduate students and support staff undertake high impact science for agriculture and food industries. The institute’s strong partnership with the Queensland Government provides our researchers with a direct link to the agriculture industry in Queensland, and world class field research facilities throughout Queensland. Agriculture is one of UQ’s highest ranked research fields nationally and internationally and QAAFI is a global leader in agricultural research in subtropical and tropical production systems.

QAAFI scientists are driven to make a difference to the agriculture and food industries and have over 150 collaborators worldwide.

Details of the research interests of the Institute may be accessed on the Institute’s web site at http://www.qaafi.uq.edu.au

 

The role

The diversity of wild plant populations reflects their evolutionary history and adaptation to different environments. Sorghum, domesticated in Africa and with a sequenced genome, is adapted to high temperatures and dry environments and ranks in the top five cereal crops in the world. However, most relatives of wild sorghum species are restricted to Australia. Analysis of the genome sequences of the Australian wild populations together with new phenotyping techniques will be used to explore their evolution and adaptation to diverse Australian environments. The evolution of cyanogenic glucosides to combat biotic stress in some species will be explored in relation to differences in the Australian environments in which they are found.

Wild crop relatives are an important source of traits for improving their cultivated counterparts. Analysis of diversity and evolution at the whole genome level in Australia’s 17 native sorghum species will provide new understanding of how plants have adapted to environmental challenges across diverse Australian environments. This will identify traits to support the development of resilient crops in the face of global environmental change.

 

The person

Applications are invited from outstanding and enthusiastic graduates with relevant backgrounds. Students may be domestic or international and must be of high scholarly calibre, possessing a First Class Honours Degree, Masters Research Degree or equivalent, with at least one peer reviewed publication.  Applicants must meet the requirements for admission into the UQ Graduate School PhD program (https://graduate-school.uq.edu.au/uq-research-degrees) and should also be eligible for a UQ Graduate School Scholarship (UQGSS) (https://graduate-school.uq.edu.au/scholarships). 

 

Remuneration

The base stipend will be at the rate of AUD $27,082 per annum (2018 rate) tax-free for three years with the possibility of two six month extensions in approved circumstances.

 

Enquiries

For specific questions please email qaafiea@uq.edu.au

 

Application deadline

The successful applicant must be able to make their full online application to the UQ graduate school (https://apply.uq.edu.au) by:

  • Friday 26th January 2018 for international applicants
  • Friday 20th April 2018 for domestic applicants

 

 If successful in gaining the UQ Scholarship the applicant will begin Research Quarter 3 (July) in 2018.

 

Application closing date

11:55pm 31 Dec 2017 E.Australian Standard Time

 

Reference: 501612

Company

Global Academy Jobs works with over 250 universities worldwide to promote academic mobility and international research collaboration. Global problems need international solutions. Our jobs board and emails reach the academics and researchers who can help.

"The globalisation of higher education continues apace, driving in turn the ongoing development of the global knowledge economy, striving for solutions to the world’s problems and educating a next generation of leaders and contributors."

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