Plant breeding tools are always striving to develop improved varieties (high yield, quality and biotic/abiotic stress tolerance). Seaweeds are promising sustainable sources for food, feed, fertilizer, cosmetics, biomaterials and energy. Seaweed aquaculture is worth more than 6 billion USD (US Dollar) per year and continues to grow worldwide. The emergence of seaweed aquaculture has created opportunities for the creation of novel varieties with agronomically superior features for greater economic gains. However, genetic improvement programs are seriously lacking in seaweeds and largely depend on selective breeding only from a few seaweed genera and species.
Hybridization allows desirable parents’ traits to be combined. This technique has showed unprecedented success in developing numerous agricultural varieties in terrestrial plants. However, it has remained largely unexplored in seaweeds. Therefore, it is of immense interest to generate genetic variants of seaweed species by harnessing their vast natural genetic diversity.
Expected outcomes of this research – develop seaweed protoplast isolation tools, characterization of hybrids at biochemical and molecular level.
Eligibility
Applicants can be International or domestic student (either permanent Australian residents or New Zealand citizens). To be eligible for this application, applicants must have completed a UTS recognised degree in
• MSc Research or MSc Coursework with a research thesis of at least 6 months,
• or Bachelor Honours degree with 1st Class, or 2nd Class Division 1, or division 1 honours, or an equivalent or higher qualification,
• or submitted other evidence of general and professional qualifications that demonstrates potential to pursue graduate research studies.
International students
Visa requirement: To obtain a student visa to study in Australia, international students must enrol full time and on campus. Australian student visa regulations also require international students studying on student visas to complete the course within the standard full-time duration.
Selection process
Applicants must possess:
- Demonstrated experience in marine biology, molecular biology and microscopy.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of the team.
- High level of motivation and enthusiasm.
- Ability to commence studies by 2023
Applicants should send their CV and list of publications to contact person’s email address by the closing date. The application process is currently open and will continue to be open until the position has been filled. We highly encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible. Shortlisted candidates will be advised with further details.
For further Information on application essentials please visit UTS Graduate Research applications.
Not eligible for this scholarship ?
We offer a fully funded scholarship, studentship and award at university, faculty and department level to support both Domestic and Overseas students.
For more information, visit UTS Science Faculty Research Projects or search in UTS Scholarship search tool to find out what you may be eligible for.