Research overview
We research the lifestyles and interactions of uncultivated microorganisms in the environment (e.g. reconstructing microbial food webs). A major focus of our lab is to understand the biogeochemical role of microbial communities in aqueous environments, such as estuaries, aquifers, and hot springs. Current research includes studying the microbial response to environmental perturbations, such as excess nutrient and carbon inputs in brackish and freshwater systems.
Positions available (starting 2019)
2 PhD scholarships to study the community composition and function of the hindgut microbiome in seaweed-eating marine fish
Project 1 (PI Prof Kendall Clements and co-supervisor Dr Kim Handley, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland)
The successful PhD candidate will be responsible for determining the relationships between community structure and function (metagenome) in wild fish and how these vary by location and season. This will involve a mix of field work (including offshore sampling using the University research vessel), laboratory work and bioinformatics. The successful candidate will have skills in both microbiology and bioinformatics.
The Scholarship will pay for up to three years of student fees and an annual tax free stipend of NZ$27,900.
Contact: k.clements@auckland.ac.nz (https://unidirectory.auckland.ac.nz/profile/k-clements)
Project 2 (PI Dr Kim Handley and co-supervisor Prof Kendall Clements, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland)
The successful PhD candidate will be responsible for determining the functional interactions in community metabolism using metagenomics and transcriptomics. This will involve a mix of field work (including offshore sampling using the University research vessel), laboratory work and bioinformatics. The successful candidate will have skills in both microbiology and bioinformatics and for this project it would be particularly helpful if candidates had experience in programming.
The Scholarship will pay for up to three years of student fees and an annual tax free stipend of NZ$27,900.
Contact: kim.handley@auckland.ac.nz (https://unidirectory.auckland.ac.nz/profile/kim-handley)
Deadline: Positions open until filled. Anticipated student start dates March-July 2019.
