Field,
glasshouse and laboratory work
Supervisors: Dr
John Morgan (La Trobe University) & Dr Steve Sinclair (Arthur Rylah
Institute)
The
project
The Button
Wrinklewort
daisy Rutidosis
leptorrhynchoides has
helped reveal the
importance of genetic self-incompatability and
ploidy variation for plant conservation. Despite this contribution to science, Rutidosis is in
serious decline in
the wild, and is listed as Endangered.
The
PhD candidate will work in a multidisciplinary team investigating the genetic
rescue of Rutidosis. The project will involve the production of
plants with known genetic heritage, from glasshouse crosses, using a range of
wild populations. The offspring will form the basis for replicated experimental
populations in the wild and the glasshouse. Their fitness and genomic structure
will be tracked over several years. The candidate will have opportunity to
develop independent questions. The project is expected to yield new populations
of this endangered species, as well as new insights into the way that genetic
rescue acts in populations and at the DNA-level.
The
team
The project forms part of a larger ARC
Linkage Project on
multiple
plant and animal species - “Genetic
rescue of Australian Wildlife” - led by Prof Paul Sunnucks at Monash University,
and involves nationwide partners with a
wide range of skills and responsibilities for wildlife, including the
Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (VIC), Diversity Arrays
Technology, Zoos Victoria, Environment and Planning Directorate (ACT), the
Department of Parks and Wildlife (WA), University of Canberra, and Andew
Young (CSIRO).
Eligibility
& application
The candidate will have a Masters or 1st class
Honours
degree in a
relevant field, enthusiasm for
conservation biology, and a good work ethic.
The successful candidate must secure an
LTU PhD stipend scholarship. Applications for scholarship close 31 October 2016, but candidates need to submit a CV no later than Friday 23 September 2016. Up to $15,000 is
available
(over 3 yrs)
to
cover the costs associated with the field data collection and
glasshouse work. $2500 per annum is available to support
travel to conferences. The
successful candidate will commence
the project in early 2017.
To apply, please first discuss the project with
Dr John Morgan (E: J.Morgan@latrobe.edu.au, T:
(03) 9479 2226)
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