PhD Studentship

IMPORTANT:  This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders.  Other applicants need not apply.

 

An opportunity exists for a PhD student to contribute to projects aimed at the development of productive and sustainable farming systems with improved environmental performance, particularly cotton based farming systems.

You will undertake research on a project aimed at describing the diversity and functional capability of microbial communities involved in nitrogen mineralization, denitrification and free-living N fixation as influenced by farming practices in Australian cotton soils.

You will be involved in specific aspects of the project that include:

• Development of molecular methods relevant to measure microbial diversity and specific gene quantity in cotton soils;
• Determination of management induced changes in specific microbial communities and functional gene abundance in Australian cotton soils;
• Quantification of functional significance of N cycling microbial communities in terms of plant nutrition and greenhouse gas emissions with scope to evaluate the new techniques in long-term field experiments. 

Location:  CSIRO's Waite Campus, Urrbrae, SA
Salary:     Scholarship of $29,000pa
Ref No:     2010/964

To be successful you'll need:

• An Honours (H1A or H2A) degree, Master’s degree (Distinction average) or equivalent in a relevant Life Science discipline;
• Demonstrated ability in using DNA techniques to study soil microbial communities;
• Strong communication skills, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team;
• A commitment to applied research and an interest in supporting the development of a sustainable Australian cotton industry.

Special Conditions
You will be enrolled at Flinders University, Adelaide.

The position will require some travel to Narrabri, NSW.

About CSIRO

Australia is founding its future on science and innovation. Its national science agency, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), is a powerhouse of ideas, technologies and skills for building prosperity, growth, health and sustainability. It serves governments, industries, business and communities.

CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences (CES) is a research division of CSIRO.  We apply multidisciplinary science to the sustainability of Australia's agriculture and forestry, built environments, biodiversity, communities, and industries. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are encouraged to apply for all CSIRO positions.