Bacteriophage Discovery for Chinook Aquaculture

Scholarship Duration: Up to 3 years

Tuition Fees Coverage

Research Expense Support

Stipend: $30,000 NZD per annum

The Hendrickson laboratory at the University of Canterbury is excited to offer a Ph.D. scholarship opportunity in Bacteriophage discovery to support Chinook Salmon aquaculture in New Zealand. This research project aims to address critical challenges in the aquaculture industry, and we are seeking dedicated individuals to join our team.

Research Focus: Bacteriophage Discovery for Chinook Aquaculture

In this project, you will be at the forefront of investigating bacteriophages, the viruses that infect and kill bacteria. We aim to harness bacteriophages to combat a bacterial Salmon disease that affects Chinook Salmon in New Zealand's aquaculture industry. By understanding the diversity and dynamics of bacteriophages, we aspire to develop innovative solutions to enhance salmon health and sustainability. The student will be supervised by Heather Hendrickson and co-supervised by Craig Billington at ESR.

You will have the opportunity to employ cutting-edge techniques, including:

• Bacteriophage discovery
• High-throughput adaptive laboratory evolution
• Genome sequencing and annotation

Requirements:

Completion of a research-focused Honours or Master's degree at First or Second Class (Division I) Honours or Distinction level (or equivalent) in biology, molecular biology, microbiology, or another relevant field. Please review the Regulations for the Doctor of Philosophy for detailed admission requirements.

A strong desire to present research findings at conferences and publish in scientific journals

This project is funded by a Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Endeavour Research Programme grant awarded to Dr Heather Hendrickson.

Application Process:

To apply for this position, please submit the following documents as a single PDF file to [Email Address Removed] with the subject line "Ph.D. Position in Phage Discovery":

• A cover letter (2-page max) explaining how your research interests align with the Bacteriophage discovery project for Chinook Salmon aquaculture and mentioning your experience in molecular biology or microbiology.
• A detailed curriculum vitae (CV) highlighting your academic achievements and research experience.
• Contact information for two academic referees who can provide letters of recommendation.

Screening of applicants will begin immediately and continue until a suitable candidate is selected.

For Further Inquiries:

For any questions or additional information regarding this position, please contact Dr. Heather Hendrickson at [Email Address Removed].

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