two Australian fruit-fly pests. Dr K Raphael, A/Prof W Sherwin et al.
We work on true fruit flies (Tephritidae), native to Australia.
Unlike Drosophila which feeds on fermenting fruit, these species lay
their eggs in ripening fruit on the tree and are therefore serious pests
of horticulture. This project targets two species of native fruit-fly
pests (Queensland fruit flies), which are extremely closely-related but
mate at different times of day. We have received funding to produce
transcriptomes of the two species, using next-generation sequencing.
This new technology, which sequences to a much greater depth than possible
previously, will form part of a larger program to discover differences
in gene sequence and expression that distinguish the species pair.
The findings will be important for studies of fly behaviour and pest
status, leading to more effective control strategies in the future.
Project 2: Sex and the dominant male determiner in Australia's true
fruit flies. Dr M Frommer, Dr D Shearman. Funds from ARC. A novel
method to separate male and female embryos of the Queensland fruit fly
will enable us to discover the molecular switch that causes embryos
to change from the female to the male developmental pathway when they
carry a Y chromosome. The results will lead to major improvements in
the control of horticultural pest insects.
Project 3: Weeds adapting to Australia: rate and direction of evolution.
A/Prof A Moles, A/Prof W Sherwin, Prof R Frankham. As well as threatening
biodiversity, introduced species also allow us to study processes of
adaptation and invasion. We are measuring changes in form, function and
genetic make-up of introduced species since their arrival in Australia. We
have used molecular genetic approaches to identify the source populations,
and collected seed from source and invasion populations. This position
would focus on common-garden experiments to identify adaptive differences
that have occurred during the invasion process. You should be qualified in
population genetics, or molecular sciences. There may be some fieldwork.
Ecology qualifications are desirable..
PROCEDURE: (1) DISCUSS: Email letter with CV, academic record,
and details of two academic referees, to A/Prof Bill Sherwin
(W.Sherwin@unsw.edu.au). For further information phone: +61-2-9385-2119.
Your letter should include explicit explanation of how your results are
sufficient to allow application for a SCHOLARSHIP at UNSW (see below
for grades required). We cannot consider other applications.
(2) PhD M/Phil CANDIDACY APPLICATION: Requirements for PhD are
BSc (Hons 1), MSc, or equivalent. For MPhil, requirement is
BSc. Specific areas essential and desirable are shown for each
project above. Solid research and communication skills. Full
NSW driver license desirable. For exact timing and details
www.grs.unsw.edu.au/homepage.html
(3a) PhD SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION - LOCAL: Citizens or permanent
residents of Australia/NZ, apply for APA and UPA at UNSW. You will
need to have completed a research degree (eg MSc or BSc Honours
research year), with results which are equivalent to 85% or higher,
in order to be competitive for these scholarships. Publications in
ISI-listed international journals will help also. Applications can
be lodged from 5 September, 2011, for study commencing in First
Session in 2012. For exact application timing and details see
http://research.unsw.edu.au/postgraduate-research-scholarships
(3b) PhD SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION - INTERNATIONAL: Applicants who are
NOT-citizens or permanent residents of Australia/NZ, can apply for IPRS
and UIPA at UNSW. In order to be competitive for these scholarships,
you will need to have completed a research degree (eg MSc or BSc Honours
research year), with results which are equivalent to 95% or higher.
Note that a coursework MSc is NOT acceptable. Publications in ISI-listed
international journals will help also. Applications are due 31st August,
2011, for study commencing in First Session in 2012. For exact timing
and details see www.grs.unsw.edu.au/scholarships/internationalschols.html
(3c) M Phil SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION. Local and international students
can apply for a $4000 stipend form the EERC, UNSW. International
students can apply for a tuition fee waiver scholarship, provided
that they can formally guarantee the remainder of their own stipend
www.grs.unsw.edu.au/scholarships/internationalschols.html
www.eerc.unsw.edu.au/GradProgram.html
William Sherwin
