BABS - BABS Postgraduate Scholarships

BABS Postgraduate Scholarships

Extension of UNSW Scholarships

Any postgraduate student holding an APA, UAPA, IPRS or UIPRS scholarship should note that requests for extensions beyond the normal duration of the scholarship (MSc - 2yrs; PhD - 3yrs) should be submitted to the Graduate Research School two months before the scholarship expires.

PhD Scholarship -2008

The Environmental Microbiology Initiative (EMI) is seeking three PhD candidates to pursue projects in genomics of environmental microorganisms.

The University of New South Wales (UNSW),Sydney, Australia, is offering three prestigious Scholarships with a supplemented stipend of $30,000 to attract the nationâ€™s strongest candidates capable of pursuing PhD studies in the genomics of environmental microorganisms.

The PhD scholarship are part of a broader campaign by UNSW to recruit a Professor (http://www.hr.unsw.edu.au/services/recruitment/jobs/15060702.html) and three Postdoctoral Fellows (http://www.hr.unsw.edu.au/services/recruitment/jobs/08060703.html) for an Environmental Microbiology Initiative (EMI) as part of a major investment to foster the growth of Strategic Priority areas of research excellence. UNSW is the nationâ€™s leading University in environmental microbiology research, with major programs in Antarctic, marine and freshwater microbiology and ecology, with particular strengths in microbial genomics and proteomics.

The EMI is seeking three PhD candidates to pursue projects in genomics of environmental microorganisms. The positions are focused on deriving knowledge from microbial genomics that leads to a better understanding of the evolution and adaptation of cells, and the properties and function of enzymes and natural products. Candidates must have the equivalent of an Honours BSc or MSc in bioinformatics and/or microbiology, with some experience in microbial genomics, environmental microbiology and ecology or molecular microbiology.

For information about these positions, contact Rick Cavicchioli (r.cavicchioli@unsw.edu.au).

Cellular cholesterol metabolism and the Niemann Pick Disease type C

An NHMRC-funded PhD scholarship or APA top-up is available in the School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences starting in 2008.

Niemann Pick Disease type C (NP-C) is an autosomal recessive, neurovisceral lipid storage disorder. This disease is characterized by accumulation of free cholesterol and glycosphingolipids within the endosomal/lysosomal system in various cell types including the neurons. NPC1 deficiency and endosomal accumulation of cholesterol are also associated with enhanced -secretase activity and early formation of neurofibrillary tangles, highlighting the importance of intracellular cholesterol transport in Alzheimerâ€™s disease. Over 95% of NP-C cases are caused by mutations in the NPC1 gene, which encodes an integral membrane protein containing a â€œsterol sensing domainâ€. However, how NPC1 mediates cholesterol exit from endosomes/lysosomes remains elusive.

This project aims to investigate how NPC1 regulates sterol transport in yeast and mammalian cells. The prospective student is expected to learn a wide range of modern molecular and cell biological methods to identify proteins that may work together with NPC1. The ultimate goal is to define mechanisms of intracellular cholesterol trafficking.

For more information please contact: Dr. Robert Yang Email: h.rob.yang@unsw.edu.au, Ph: (02) 9385 8133. Office: Room 206, Biological Sciences Building.

Environmental metagenomics, metaproteomics and novel bioactives from microbial communities in Antarctic lakes.

An ARC APAI Scholarship is available in the School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences starting in 2008.

The project aims to apply environmental genomic and proteomic technology to microbial communities from lakes in Antarctica in order to improve understanding of the ecology, diversity and physiology of Antarctic microorganisms, and to discover novel biocatalysts for industrial and biotechnological application. The project involves collaboration with the DOE Joint Genome Institute to generate and analyse metagenome data.

Students with a background in bioinformatics, genomics or environmental microbiology are particularly encouraged to apply.

For information about these positions, contact Rick Cavicchioli (phone: 02-9385-3516; r.cavicchioli@unsw.edu.au).