Ferrier Research Institute PhD Scholarship in Synthetic Biology - Fungal Project

Study Area(s): Science

Scholarship Level: Doctoral; All postgraduate

Closing Date(s): Open until position is filled

Tenure: Three years

Number offered: One

Value: $30,500 stipend per annum for three years plus full fees

Applicants are invited to apply for a fully funded three-year PhD scholarship to explore biosynthetic pathways towards complex natural products.

The Ferrier Research Institute has established a world-class reputation in nature-inspired synthetic carbohydrate chemistry and analysis and has extended its expertise into the areas of synthetic and chemical biology, chemical immunology, and natural product isolation. We investigate issues related to our health, wellbeing, and the sustainability of our environment. More about the research undertaken at the Ferrier Research Institute can be found here .

Fungal project – biosynthetic pathway discovery and characterization

In this project, under the supervision of Professor Emily Parker, we will use a variety of chemical and molecular biological methods to unravel complex mechanisms for the biosynthesis of novel bioactive natural products.

The PhD scholar will contribute to the project by carrying out studies on gene characterisation and gene expression in fungal hosts. The ideal candidate will have some understanding of molecular biology and biosynthesis.

The Institute is split between Gracefield in Lower Hutt and Kelburn in central Wellington, New Zealand and so the PhD candidate must be in New Zealand or able to get across the border to New Zealand to carry out this study. The applicant must be eligible for admission to the PhD programme at Victoria University of Wellington .

A GPA of 7.5 or greater (on a 9 point scale), first class honours or Master’s grade in Chemistry or Biochemistry of Molecular Biology training, and demonstration of proficiency in English are essential.  The ideal candidate will have some understanding of molecular biology and biosynthesis.

If you are interested in applying or finding out more about the scholarship, please email Dr Alison Daines: [email protected]

When applying please ensure all required scholarship specific documents (as listed below) are attached:

• All degree certificates and transcripts (undergraduate and postgraduate MSc - officially translated into English where necessary)
• Detailed CV
• Contact details of two academic referees
• A statement of research interests

The successful recipient will be selected by the Ferrier Research Institute Scholarship panel.

The successful recipient should satisfy the requirements for admission as a doctoral candidate at Victoria University of Wellington. They will also need to sign a Victoria University of Wellington Research Scholarship contract and a confidentiality agreement.

For more information about the scholarship please email: [email protected]