59425 Phd Student Exo70 Plant Defence Networks - Plant & Food Research

OverviewPhD Studentship in Bioprotection and Plant Pathogen Interactions.

School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North, and the Plant Pathogen Interactions Science Team, Auckland, New Zealand.

Vacancy number

This is an exciting opportunity to earn a PhD in Science via Massey University, working with Bioeconomy Science Institute Senior Scientists.

The PhD scholarship is funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment as part of an Endeavour Fund Smart Idea; the PhD stipend is NZ$35,000 per year and tuition fees are covered for three years.This opportunity is available to both domestic and international students.

The project will investigate whether effector proteins from the kiwifruit canker pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv.

actinidiae (Psa) target and modulate EXO70 proteins to influence host susceptibility, with comparative investigations in apple.

What you will be doing

This PhD project seeks to elucidate the role of EXO70 proteins in fruit crop immunity, with a focus on kiwifruit and apple.

The research will determine whether effector proteins from the kiwifruit canker pathogen Pseudomonas syringae actinidiae (Psa) target and modulate EXO70 proteins to enhance host susceptibility.

These investigations will be extended to apple, assessing interactions between EXO70 proteins and effector proteins from an apple pathogen, thereby providing comparative insights across fruit species.

What you will bring

A strong interest in molecular plant–microbe interactions and a desire to extend knowledge in this area.

A first-class BSc(Hons) or MSc degree in Molecular Plant Pathology, Plant Molecular Biology, Molecular Microbiology, Genetics, or related disciplines.

Experience in microscopy, plant pathology, bacteria, fungal biology, proteomics, bioinformatics, or genomics / transcriptomics, and / or willingness to learn these skill areas.

A deeply inquisitive mind and a desire to push the boundaries of scientific knowledge.

Funding Notes

This PhD scholarship is funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and is part of an Endeavour Fund Smart Idea awarded to the Bioeconomy Science Institute.

The PhD scholarship is available to both domestic and international students and will include a tax-free stipend of NZ$35,000 per year and full tuition fees covered per annum for three years (36 months).

General Information

Minimum academic requirements for entry into the PhD programme at Massey University are available at / .

Minimum English requirements for entry into the PhD programme at Massey University are available at / .

To apply, please send us a curriculum vitae, motivation letter, academic transcripts (undergraduate and postgraduate) and contact details (preferably email addresses) of at least two academic referees.

Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed by Zoom or Teams.

The PhD project will start as soon as a suitable candidate is found.

#J-

• Ljbffr