43074 PhD Studentship, Plant Transformation/Fruit Development - AgResearch, Plant & Food Research, Scion

Mt Albert, Auckland, New Zealand

Vacancy 43074

A bit about us
At Plant & Food Research, we believe science can create a better future. By finding smarter, greener options today, we're helping secure the world we want to live in tomorrow. With our partners, we use world-leading science to improve the way they grow, fish, harvest and share food. Every day, we have 1000 people working across Aotearoa New Zealand and the world to help deliver healthy foods from the world's most sustainable systems.

What you will be doing

We have an exciting opportunity for a PhD student to join a world class fruit development research programme. The PhD study will aim to understand the genetic control of parthenocarpy (fruit without fertilisation). Using the new knowledge gained from the study we will develop procedures and/or cultivars to produce high quality fruit without the need of pollination. The PhD project will involve using modern molecular biology and genomics techniques and the germplasm of model and fruit crop species.

The specifics of the PhD study within the overall project target will be developed and decided in consultations between the student, the university supervisor and the PFR supervisor.

This four year scholarship offers a stipend of NZ$27,000 per annum, and up to NZ$8,000 per annum towards university fees plus operating costs.  Candidates should have a relevant postgraduate qualification with skills in plant genetics, plant molecular biology or similar.

What you will need

Candidates must have a relevant masters or honours postgraduate qualification with experience with plant biology and/or genetics, together with effective written and oral communication skills.