PhD Position in Plant Stress Physiology – Fungal volatile organic compounds for sustainable agriculture in a changing environment

Environmental changes pose significant threats to primary production, generating a critical need for innovative, effective solutions to maintain production in the face of a changing climate.  This  research  programme  will pioneer a new  class of environmentally friendly plant protectants.

We aim to deliver non-toxic and environmentally safe fungal volatile compounds, as alternatives to existing and phased out agricultural chemicals. Thus, understanding the fungal volatile compound’s interaction with the plant system is crucial in further application and development of these new agricultural products. This will help future- proof Aotearoa/New Zealand’s agricultural, horticultural and forestry production in the face of emerging climate change stressors.

We use a multi-omics approach to analyse how plants respond to the fungal volatile to uncover important pathways and genes that are responsible for the growth and stress tolerance promoting effects of the volatile in plants.

This PhD project will focus on further identification and functional study of the important pathways and genes regulating the plants’ response to the volatile compound. Molecular tools in manipulating gene function such as RNAi and CRISPR-Cas system will be utilised to characterise the genes of interest.

The position will involve growing plants in a controlled environment, followed by physiological analysis, microbiological work, molecular biology, and bioinformatics.

You will be working alongside industry partners and a team of researchers present at Massey University, AgResearch, Scion, Otago, and Canterbury Universities in conjunction with international (Singapore, Mexico, Austria, USA) research partners and led by Lincoln University.

Applicants should have a background in plant biology with a genuine interest in plant stress physiology. Relevant experience in molecular biology and bioinformatics is an advantage. Applicants should hold, or expect to hold, a high-grade Honours or Masters-level degree (or equivalent) in relevant life sciences.

Principal supervisor will be Associate Professor Paul Dijkwel (School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University)

Training will involve the acquisition of valuable skills in high-throughput sequence data handling, genetic modification and their application to the critically important area of plant health, providing a solid foundation for further relevant international employment opportunities.

The location where the PhD will be undertaken is at the Palmerston North campus, at the School of Agriculture and Environment (SAE).

Massey University has a strong Plant Science group with excellent plant growth facilities for performing experiments under both controlled and greenhouse conditions. Relevant to the project, the school hosts an extensive microscopy centre and a genomics facility.

The Dijkwel lab currently has 5 post graduate students and two post-docs working on various plant physiology projects.

You fit with us:

·     if you are curious, open-minded, and highly motivated to learn and develop.

·     if you can work both independently and as part of a team.

·     if you are interested in working in and being part of an ‘international’ group.

·     If you already live in New Zealand or are excited about a move to New Zealand.

  We offer you:

·     a highly motivated team with excellent scientific and technical infrastructure.

·     an inspiring research environment, the opportunity to attend conferences and to develop personal strength through connections, learning and a personal, dedicated supervision approach.

·     an exciting 3-year PhD position starting as soon as possible.

·     a scholarship with a value of 35,000 NZD tax free p/a plus PhD registration fees

(Currently approx. 9,000 NZD for international and domestic students) for up to 3 years.

International applicants should meet the Massey University English language requirement for postgraduate studies.

Applications should be e-mailed to p.dijkwel@massey.ac.nz and should include a full CV, a cover letter outlining your interests in relation to this research, and the names and contact details of two academic referees. The closing date for applications is 10 November 2024.