PhD Studentship: Understanding Reef Fish Vision Through Gene-Editing (CRISPR/Cas9)

Queensland Brain Institute

PhD Research Project in Understanding Reef Fish Vision Through Gene-Editing (CRISPR/Cas9)

Established in 2003, QBI (http://www.qbi.uq.edu.au) is situated on the St Lucia campus of UQ. It is home to more than 450 staff and students, including 41 group leaders, working across a range of disciplines, who are focused on discovering the fundamental mechanisms that regulate brain development and function in health and disease.

Over the past decade QBI has become known as one of the world’s leading neuroscience research institutes. It played a key role in contributing to UQ attaining the highest possible score of 5 for neuroscience, in the 2010, 2012 and 2015 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) reviews, one of only two universities in Australia to achieve this.

The role

The Marshall Lab at the Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia, is currently seeking an outstanding PhD candidate to work on a project investigating the colour vision of coral reef fish. The aim of this PhD is to enhance our understanding of visual neuroscience and the genetic control of vision. Specifically, the project will determine the genetic and environmental control of damselfish visual sensitivities, using the anemonefish, Amphiprion percula, as a model system. Novel techniques will be used to address these aims such as new CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technique and Next Generation Sequencing.

The student will be supervised by Professor Justin Marshall, Dr Fabio Cortesi and Dr Karen Cheney, and will also collaborate with international researchers in the USA and the UK. This PhD project will provide excellent scope for integrative research, unique skill acquisition, as well as for personal development.

To know more about the Marshall Lab Group, please go to:  https://qbi.uq.edu.au/marshallgroup.

The person

Expressions of Interest are invited from outstanding and enthusiastic, international and Australian, science graduates ideally with a background in neuroscience or biological sciences, and should be strongly motivated to pursue cross-disciplinary research in sensory ecology and genetic research.  Candidates will have a First Class Honours degree or equivalent and should be eligible for UQ scholarship consideration.  Applicants should have strong interests and preferably experience in bioinformatics, molecular biology, neurobiology, sensory biology, fish behaviour, evolution of visual signals, and/or animal communication mechanisms.

Applicants must fulfil the PhD admission criteria for the University of Queensland, including meeting English language requirements, and demonstrating excellent capacity and potential for research. Demonstration of research ability through publication output in peer reviewed international journals is desirable.

For further information on entry requirements, please visit http://www.uq.edu.au/grad-school/our-research-degrees.  Successful applicants must accept and commence within 6 months of receiving an award.

Remuneration

Selected prospective international and domestic students will receive assistance to apply for University living allowance and tuition fee scholarships.  The 2018 Research Training Program (RTP) living allowance stipend rate is AUD$27,082 (indexed annually), which is tax-free for three years with two possible extensions of up to 6 months each in approved circumstances (conditions apply).  For further information on scholarships refer to:  http://www.uq.edu.au/grad-school/scholarships-and-fees.

Enquiries

To discuss this role and for further information, please contact Dr Fabio Cortesi (f.cortesi@uq.edu.au).

Please note the different closing dates below for domestic and international candidates leading up to the UQ Graduate School higher degree by research application and scholarship round timelines as advertised on their website:

https://graduate-school.uq.edu.au/scholarships

Expression of Interest Closing Dates:

International candidates: 19 January 2018 – for consideration in relation to the next available UQ international scholarship round with commencement in Research Quarter 3 (July) 2018.

Domestic candidates: 13 April 2018 – for consideration in relation to the next UQ domestic scholarship round with commencement in Research Quarter 3 (July) 2018.

Reference: 501649