5 Phd Scholarships

Applications are invited for five Ph.D. scholarships funded by Environmental Biotechnology CRC, three tenable at Murdoch University, Perth and one at the University of Queensland, and one at University of Adelaide to work on various aspects of an Integrated Biosystems (IBS) project. This is a collaborative project between South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), Murdoch University, The University of Queensland and University of Adelaide and funded by the Environmental Biotechnology CRC. The IBS project will develop an integrated farming system, which prevents organic pollution and enhances primary and secondary industry production, income and sustainability. An IBS facility which will include waste treatment system, aquaculture will be set up and operated at Roseworthy campus of University of Adelaide/SARDI. The Ph.D research will address core aspects of project including
1. Development of enhanced anaerobic digestion system for treating animal wastes
2. Creation of an enhanced natural aquatic system, which maximises both primary and secondary productivity. 3. Investigation of the microbial communities and their interaction in the aquaculture systems.
4. Investigation of pathogen die off and depuration during various stages of integrated bio processing of waste (digestion, aquaculture).
5. Mathematical modelling of the microbial interactions, and nutrient uptake, transformation and release during various stages of integrated bioprocessing. The project offers a unique opportunity to interact within a diverse team consisting of engineers, microbiologists, aquaculture scientists. Applicants should possess first class or high second class Honours/Master Degrees in or equivalent to
* chemical/ environmental engineering for areas 1, and 5
* environmental/wastewater microbiology/experimental biology for areas 2, 3 and 4.
The scholarship will provide a stipend of $A 25,000 per year, tax-free for 3 and a half years (fees are also included but only for New Zealand and Australian citizens and permanent residents, otherwise international fees apply). Allowances in addition to the scholarship and relocation expenses include laboratory expenses, local and overseas conference travel and assistance with thesis costs. Interested candidates should forward their application with a recent bio data, transcripts and contact details of 2 referees to before 30th September 2004 to Dr Pratap Pullammanappallil, Director, Centre for Organic Waste Management, Murdoch University, Perth WA 6150,Australia. Tel: Int+ 61 (0)8 9360 7415 Fax: Int+ 61 (0)8 9360 7413,
E-mail: pullamma@central.murdoch.edu.au mailto:pullamma@central.murdoch.edu.au>
For more information contact:
Dr. Martin Kumar, Project Leader, Integrated Bio-systems, Environmental Biotechnology CRC, South Australian Research and Development Institute, PO Box 120, Henley Beach, South Australia, Phone: (08) 8200 2400, Fax (08) 8200 2481.
Email: kumar.martin@saugov.sa.gov.au <mailto:kumar.martin@saugov.sa.gov.au>