THREE PHD POSITIONS AT CSIRO ROCKHAMPTON , AUSTRALIA

There are 3 PhD positions open at the JM Rendel laboratories, Rockhampton in the Division of Livestock Industries, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia . These 3 PhD positions relate to scientific research projects in the area of Quantitative genetics/genomics, Bioinformatics and Systems Biology and are funded by the Office of the Chief Executive (OCE) of CSIRO, CSIRO Livestock Industries (CLI) postgraduate studentship program and Beef CRC for Genetic Technologies' studentship awards. Students will be trained in research projects under joint supervision with a University. The division of CLI has a well established PhD training programme and there are currently around 70 doctoral and masters students within CLI.

OCE PROJECT 1: Genetic Improvement using SNP Genotyping Arrays in Livestock

This project is based on prediction of molecular (SNP) breeding values and comparison of genetic improvement/economic responses from SNP panel versus traditional selection methods in animals. Computer simulations will be used but the developed prediction methods will be tested on SNP Chip data from sheep parasite resistance whole genome scan experiments. The successful candidate will be enrolled at the University of New England (UNE), Armidale. He/She will be supervised by Dr Haja Kadarmideen at CSIRO Rockhampton and co-supervised by Prof. Julius van der Werf at UNE, Armidale. Relevant project information and application forms can be found at CSIRO Careers online website: http://recruitment.csiro.au/asp/Job_Details.asp?RefNo=2007%2F872. Applications close by October 31, 2007.

CLI PROJECT 2: Design and Power of Genetical Genomics (eQTL) Mapping

This project will investigate statistical methods, design and power of the genetical genomics experiments or expression Quantitative Trait Loci (eQTL) mapping methods. Research is computer based however opportunities exist to work on sheep parasite resistance and beef CRC cattle experiments. The successful candidate will be enrolled at the University of Sydney (USYD), Sydney. He/She will be supervised by Dr Haja Kadarmideen at CSIRO Rockhampton and co-supervised by Assoc. Prof. Peter Thomson at USYD, Camden . Relevant project information and application forms can be found on CLI website http://www.csiro.au/listudent on or after October 6, 2007.

Applications close by November 4, 2007.

BEEF CRC PROJECT 3: Cattle Fertility Gene Discovery by Integrative Genomics

This is a gene discovery project of Beef CRC Program 4 for female reproductive performance (age at puberty and post-partum re-conception

success) in tropical beef cattle. The project will eventually develop a commercial DNA-based test that cattle producers can use. The PhD project is based on specific part of this large project which is to evaluate different

filtering(editing) methods in analysing SNP array data and investigate advanced statistical genetic methods including genome-wide epistasis (heat mapping), random models and breed admixture mapping. The student will be enrolled at the University of New England (UNE) in Armidale or University of Queensland in Brisbane . Relevant project information and application forms can be found at Beef CRC postgraduate project section at http://svc192.bne150v.server-web.com/default.asp?page=/education/scholarships. Applications close by October 31, 2007.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Availability of SNP Chips and whole genome-wide association tests mark the revolutions in gene discovery for many complex traits. These studies are increasingly merged with high throughput transcriptomics experiments (genetical genomics). The candidate will work with an internationally recognised team of scientists in this area of research both within CSIRO and the university, with the access to state-of-the-art experimental and computational facilities and large genomic (SNP) and microarray gene expression databases. All successful students will be physically based in CSIRO Rockhampton but travel frequently to respective universities for course work and/or training. Students will have close supervision and support from geneticists on site. Interested applicants must apply online using the appropriate application forms, the procedures and eligibility conditions that are available at the corresponding websites for each award.

Students may apply for more than scholarship.

Eligibility and Payment: For ALL studentships, a high quality Honours or Masters degree or similar in the field of (Bio)statistics or genetics or computational sciences or animal/plant genomics/breeding or Bioinformatics or Systems Biology or similar field is required. Experience in computer programming knowledge and use of statistical analysis software is desirable. OCE PhD Project 1 is open to international applicants where as CLI and Beef CRC PhD projects (projects 2 and 3), Australian citizenship or residency are preferred. PhD scholarship is worth around AUS $30,000 per year plus benefits.

For all PhD positions, students will be selected from a pool of eligible applicants through a competitive selection process but for informal enquiries and expression of interest, please contact:

Dr Haja Kadarmideen

Principal Research Scientist and Group Leader

Computational and Systems Biology Stream

CSIRO Livestock Industries, JM Rendel Laboratory Ibis Ave

Rockhampton QLD 4701 AUSTRALIA

Phone: + 61 7 4923 8266 ; Fax:     + 61 7 4923 8222 ; Email:   Haja.Kadarmideen@csiro.au

Web:     www.csiro.au

 

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS AT VICTORIA UNIVERSITY, AUSTRALIA

The Victoria University Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Scheme is a new initiative to build its research and to support outstanding early career researchers seeking to commence an academic/research career. The Scheme provides appointments of 3 years duration. Up to 10 Research Fellowships will be supported in 2008 under this Scheme at Academic Levels A and B. Salary scales are provided in the application kit. A minimum start-up grant of $12,000 will be provided to successful applicants. This will be a highly competitive scheme, and applicants are expected to have a strong track record relative to opportunity.

The scheme focuses on outstanding early career researchers who would normally be within 5 years of completing their Doctoral qualification.

Applications will be assessed on quality of the proposed research project and its fit with the host unit, track record (relative to opportunity) of the applicant and the research environment in the host Institute Centre or research group. It is expected that of the majority of Fellowships will be aligned with the University’s areas of research strength, typically Research Centres and Institutes, although outstanding applicants from any discipline in which the University has research strengths are encouraged to apply. A complete list of areas of research strength and contacts is included in the application kit.

The Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Application kit is available from:

http://www.vu.edu.au/research/

For further information please contact:

Dr Gayle Morris

Director, Office for Research

Telephone: 61 3 99194708 or E-mail: gayle.morris@vu.edu.au

WWW.VU.EDU.AU 1

POSTGRADUATE OPPORTUNITY AT KAU

http://www.scholarshipnet.info/postgraduate/saudi-arabia-scholarship-for-ms-degree-in-chemical-engineering-at-king-abdulaziz-university-kau

The Chemical and Materials Engineering Department at King Abdulaziz University (KAU) is seeking outstanding college graduates from all over the world to apply for the Master degree program.

Applicant should hold a Bachelor degree in chemical or materials engineering with an outstanding grade (4.5/5 or 3.5/4 or higher). Applicants holding degrees in other related discipline (e.g Chemistry, physics … etc.) can be also considered subject to certain conditions. A TOEFL grade of 500 or higher is also required.

Accepted students are supported through the Graduate Assistantship Program. The program provides awarded students with the following:
1. Tuition waiver.
2. A monthly stipend of 2000 Saudi Riyals (US$ 533)
3. Housing in the university dorms.

Graduate assistants will be required to actively participate in research activities and other related duties as assigned by the department. Continued support for graduate students depends on their ability to maintain exceptional gradate academic standards, perform research related activities and maintain a high level of research achievement through participation in authoring and co-authoring scientific publications.

Interested applicants, please send the following information to the e mail address below:
- a copy of your transcript
- a copy of your diploma
- a copy of TOEFL test result
- any other documents you find relevant

yhamed[ at ]kau.edu.sa OR yasalhamed[ at ]hotmail.com OR che[ at ]kau.edu.sa

Dr. Yahia Alhamed, Associate Professor
Chairman Chemical and Materials Engineering Department
College of Engineering
King Abdulaziz University
P.O. Box 80204
Jeddah 21589,
SAUDI ARABIA

Tel: 966-2-6400000 (ext 68244) or 966-2-695-2187
Fax: 966-2- 695-2257
Mobile: 966-504684191
email:yhamed[ at ]kau.edu.sa, yasalhamed[ at ]hotmail.com