Defining how inter-bacterial symbioses regulate aquatic ecosystem health

Planktonic bacteria play crucial roles in regulating the productivity, health and function of aquatic ecosystems. Recent evidence suggests that the growth and ecological impacts of aquatic bacteria is potentially strongly regulated by previously over-looked inter-bacterial interactions. This project will combine cutting-edge approaches in genomics, phenomics and microfluidics to (i) identify new symbiotic interactions between bacteria, (ii) elucidate the key chemical currencies exchanged between bacterial partners, (iii) determine the behavioural mechanisms involved in the establishment and maintenance of bacterial symbioses, and (iv) assess how these symbioses govern important ecosystem-level processes. The outcomes of this project will deliver a fundamentally new perspective on the processes controlling the health of important aquatic ecosystems, including the ocean, rivers and lakes.

Applicants must be either Australian or New Zealand citizens/permanent residents. To be eligible for this application, you must hold the following or equivalent degree:

Applicants should send their CV, a ½ page expression of interest to Prof. Justin Seymour and Dr Jean-Baptiste Raina

before the closing date. Shortlisted candidates will be advised with further details.

Please contact Prof. Justin Seymour for further information.

This project will be hosted within the Ocean Microbes Group (OMG), within the Climate Change Cluster (C3) at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). The OMG is one of 6 key research programs within C3 and has a broad focus on elucidating the ecological and biogeochemical functions of microbes in marine environments. C3 is one of the UTS “research strength” institutes and currently hosts 90 researchers, providing a vibrant environment and a comprehensive suite of field and laboratory-based analytical equipment and research infrastructure that will be available to the successful candidate throughout this project.

The successful candidate will be awarded $32,500 per year (RTP Stipend rate, indexed annually); additional funds ($7.5k) are available during the course of the PhD for travel and other directly PhD-related expenses.

3.5 years.

Open

Open.

19/01/2023

15/04/2023