Promotion in Agrar-, Umwelt- und Geowissenschaften

We are currently looking for a PhD candidate to analyse the unique fossil assemblages of the underwater caves of the Mt Gambier region. The Mt Gambier deposits are the only caves in Australia to preserve in exquisite detail the remains of Australia’s megafauna, as well as numerous other taxa, in flooded settings. The primary focus of this role is to undertake research in the palaeontology, taphonomy, and ecology of the fossil remains from excavated underwater deposits and new material from previously unstudied underwater fossil localities. This project includes field, museum, and laboratory work. Success in this role requires collaboration with the Cave Divers Association of Australia, the South Australian Museum, the University of Adelaide, and the University of Queensland.

This project will be undertaken through the Australian Research Centre for Human Evolution (ARCHE). ARCHE is a world leader in research and education on all aspects of human evolutionary studies. We provide a dynamic and cooperative research environment that seeks to understand how humans and their societies across the globe evolved over time. We emphasise the study of the biological and cultural evolution of humans and our place in the natural world, with a growing focus on Australia, Asia, and the Pacific.

The 2022 Griffith University Postgraduate Research Scholarship has an annual stipend of $28,854 (indexed) for a period of up to three years of full-time study.

A successful International applicant will also be awarded a Griffith University International Postgraduate Research Scholarship to cover tuition fees for up to three years.

The selection of applicants for the award of higher degree research scholarships at Griffith University involves consideration of your academic merit and research background. To be successful within this role, you will be able to combine field and laboratory studies with analytical skills. You will have evidence of a passion for palaeontology, with a strong desire to undertake research in biology and geology.

Expressions of interest are welcome from domestic and international applicants.
Applicants must have completed, or expect to complete, a bachelors degree with honours equivalent to first class honours or a Masters degree (AQF Level 9) incorporating a significant research component of a standard comparable to a bachelor honours degree or be regarded by Griffith University as having an equivalent level of attainment in accordance with Schedule One of the HDR Scholarship Policy. For further information on the eligibility requirements for the program refer here.
Please note:

A background in scuba diving is desired.

All expressions of interest must be submitted to j.louys@griffith.edu.au containing:

Statement addressing your suitability for the project/scholarship
Evidence that you have completed a program with the required grades as detailed in the about you section
A curriculum vitae (CV)
Names of two referees
The closing date for expressions of interest is: [5 pm AEST, Friday, 12, August, 2022]

The preferred applicant will then be invited to apply for the program and scholarship on-line.

30 September 2022

We are currently looking for a PhD candidate to join the One Health Laboratory of Infectious Disease at Griffith University, led by A/Prof Lara Herrero (MD, MPH, PhD). The primary focus of this role is to identify new host targets for the rapid development of innovative therapies against zoonotic arboviruses of pandemic potential. This project includes techniques such as Virology, Immunology, Cellular & Molecular Biology. Success in this role requires collaboration with national and international experts in virology and immunology.

Mosquito-transmitted viruses (arboviruses) cause a range of clinical manifestations including encephalitis, arthritis, arthralgia and myalgia. Viruses in this group include the arthritogenic chikungunya virus (CHIKV), Ross River virus (RRV) and the deadly Japanese Encephalitis virus (JEV). With climate change and increasing globalisation, emerging arboviruses such as JEV, CHIKV and RRV are all examples of viruses which could follow Zika and be the next pandemic. Combatting mosquito-borne diseases is one of our most pressing global health challenges. We recently demonstrated that viral-induced disease is largely driven by activation of the host innate inflammatory response. We now aim to define the mechanisms underlying this inflammatory-mediated pathology. This project (backed by a prestigious NHMRC Synergy grant) will identify new host targets for the rapid development of innovative therapies against arboviruses of pandemic potential. The successful candidate will be researching at the Gold Coast.

The Herrero Group utilises a One Health approach to make advancements in understanding and treating vector borne diseases, which combines field work, modelling and lab-based research. The group have made unique discoveries around pathogen dissemination/transmission in the arthropod vector and pathogenesis in the human host. Additionally, using primary human cells and mouse model of disease, they are assessing new treatment strategies for viral inflammatory disease.

The Institute for Glycomics, established in 2000, was so named due to its multidisciplinary research approach centred around ‘Glycomics’.Our unique research expertise makes us the only institute of its kind in Australia and one of only a handful in the world. We strive to be a world leader in the discovery and development of next generation drugs, vaccines and diagnostics in the fight against diseases of global impact.

The 2022 Griffith University Postgraduate Research Scholarship has an annual stipend of $28,854 (indexed) for a period of up to three years of full-time study. Please see the GUPRS Conditions of Award for more information.

A successful International applicant will also be awarded a Griffith University International Postgraduate Research Scholarship to cover tuition fees for up to three years. Please see the GUIPRS Conditions of Award for more information.

All expressions of interest must be submitted to ‘A/Prof Lara Herrero l.herrero@griffith.edu.au containing:

• Statement addressing your suitability for the project/scholarship
• Brief research proposal
• Evidence that you have completed a program with the required grades as detailed in the about you section
• A curriculum vitae (CV)
• Names of two referees
• Expressions of interest are currently open for this position.

Once selected, the preferred applicant will be invited to apply for the program and scholarship on-line

Associate Professor Prasad Kaparaju, Email: p.kaparaju@griffith.edu.au

We are currently looking for a PhD candidate to work on CRC RACE for 2030 and Industry funded project - Technologies to improve process performance and methane yields during high-solids anaerobic digestion of sugar mill wastes. The project will carry out techno-economic evaluation of high-solids anaerobic co-digestion of sugarcane bagasse and mill mud with chicken manure. New reactor configuration and operational strategies to optimise the process will be developed to improve the biogas productivity and overall economics of anaerobic digestion of agro-industrial wastes.

The development of innovative high-solids anaerobic digestion technology for sugar mill wastes will enable new market for anaerobic digestion of agro-industrial wastes, helping to significantly reduce the amount of organic waste burning and/or landfilling and improve resource use efficiency. Both farms and the agroindustry will realise tangible benefits through reduced reliance on fossil electricity, mineral fertilisers and the reduced cost of disposal, while at the same time improving the economic returns from anerobic digestion.

This project will generate renewable electricity, reduce the dependence on fossil electricity and inorganic fertiliser requirement and reduce the nutrient leaching, increase the uptake of biofertilisers through significantly improving the quality of the material through appropriate product design and utilisation of processing equipment.

Griffith University is a comprehensive research-intensive institution, ranking in the top 2% of universities worldwide, with over 50,000 students. The University has a long-established reputation for research excellence in the waste management and environmental engineering. Much of this research is undertaken within Assoc. Prof Prasad Kaparaju’s Environmental Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Research Lab, the School of Engineering and Built Environment.

This PhD project will be based on Nathan Campus, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland. Field trials will be carried out in Bundaberg, Queensland.

The successful applicant for the RACE for 2030 scholarship will be awarded a $38,000/year scholarship for three years, with an additional $3,000/year provided for research expenses, with the funding drawn from the industry and research partner attributions and RACE for 2030. An additional six (6) month extension may be granted on a case-by-case basis.

A successful International applicant will also be awarded a Griffith University International Postgraduate Research Scholarship to cover tuition fees for up to three years. Please see the GUIPRS Conditions of Award for more information.

The selection of applicants for the award of higher degree research scholarships at Griffith University involves consideration of your academic merit and research background. To be successful within this role, you will be able to develop the research framework in the optimisation of high-solids anaerobic digestion process in pilot-scale biogas reactor to produce biogas and anaerobic digestate, to conduct the lab-scale studies in process optimisation through reactor configuration, bioaugmentation and operational strategies, process monitoring, and carry out the lab physico-chemical and biochemical and microbiological analyses. You are expected to have strong education and research background in environmental engineering, environmental biotechnology, chemical engineering or environmental microbiology. You will have evidence of a passion for environmental change research, with a strong desire to produce renewable energy from organic wastes and utilise anaerobic digestate for organic fertiliser production.

Expressions of interest are welcome from domestic and onshore international applicants.

Applicants must have completed, or expect to complete, a bachelors degree with honours equivalent to first class honours or a Masters degree (AQF Level 9) incorporating a significant research component of a standard comparable to a bachelor honours degree or be regarded by Griffith University as having an equivalent level of attainment in accordance with Schedule One of the HDR Scholarship Policy.

For further information on the eligibility requirements for the program refer here.

All expressions of interest must be submitted to p.kaparaju@griffith.edu.au containing:

Statement addressing your suitability for the project/scholarship
Evidence that you have completed a program with the required grades as detailed in the about you section
A curriculum vitae (CV)
Research proposal
Names of two referees
The closing date for expressions of interest is: 11:59 pm on 15/08/2022.

The preferred applicant will then be invited to apply on-line.