Australian PhD Scholarship opportunity: Ascertaining the links between pollinator behaviour, pollen transfer and plant reproductive success in Australian food crops.
The School of Environmental and Rural Science at the University of New England (UNE) is offering a unique and exciting opportunity for a motivated, independent and adventurous PhD candidate to study the links between pollinator behaviour and pollen transfer in a range of crops and wild plants. Candidates will work in a collaborative lab on various aspects of the ecology and management of crop pollinators in a range of tropical, sub-tropical and temperate food crops in Australia. The successful candidate will be required to undertake glasshouse studies and some field work across the north and eastern parts of Australia across several different land use types. We are seeking applicants with an interest and background in pollination, entomology, plant-animal interactions and pollinator behaviour in agricultural systems for a 3-year PhD project based at UNE, in Armidale, NSW Australia. Ideally, candidates will have experience processing, pinning and identifying Australian bee and non-bee insects, processing pollen deposition and pollen tube samples using microscopy and preparing photographic images of slides. Experience observing and recording pollinator behaviour under glasshouse and/or field conditions is desirable. Experience rearing and managing captive populations of pollinating insects, particularly flies, is desirable. The PhD project is part of a larger collaboration between the University of New England, several other universities and horticultural industry groups. The responsibilities of the student will include: experimental design and development of field surveys, glasshouse pollinator observations, collection, sorting and pinning insects; counting and identifying pollen and measuring pollen tube growth. The successful candidate is also expected to undertake analytical and statistical work and to disseminate research results to industry and the broader scientific community. An interest in working alongside industry, a willingness to work in remote areas and the capacity to work both work independently and as part of a team are important qualities. The applicant must be proficient in spoken and written English and have a current driver’s licence. The applicant must have completed an honours or masters level qualification or be prepared to submit for examination soon. Selection of applicants will be based on merit. The scholarship provides a tax-free stipend of AU$27,082 per year for three years paid in fortnightly instalments.The scholarship is open to both domestic and international candidates. The scholarship includes tuition fees and single overseas health cover for international students. Please see the Scholarship Terms and Conditions for more information. http://www.une.edu.au/research/hdr/hdr-scholarships/ascertaining-the-links-between-pollinator-behaviour,-pollen-transfer-and-plant-reproductive-success-in-australian-food-crops When to apply: Scholarship applications are open until filled. To apply or enquire: Please send an email to Romina Rader rrader[@]une.edu.au with a statement of your background, experience and interest in the project, your Curriculum Vitae and any publications.
