[Coral-List] PhD position in South Africa on coral adaptation

[David Pearton]

Postgraduate opportunity at ORI/UKZN: Accelerated coral evolution

 

Physiological and transcriptional responses of corals from a range of
habitats to future warming.

Climate-induced coral bleaching is considered an existential threat to coral
reefs globally and is exacerbated by other stressors, including coral
diseases.  Some corals are more resistant to bleaching than others, for
reasons that include genetic variability among colonies, species and
locations or gene expression. In particular, corals growing in extreme
environments at high latitude are an excellent model for the potential
effects of corals under future conditions as they are exposed to a wide
range of environmental stresses including large ranges of temperature and
pH. The ability of corals to resist bleaching and disease is additionally
dependent on maintaining healthy microbiomes (assemblage of microorganisms,
including algae, other protists, bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses).
While the importance of endosymbiotic microbes in coral health is well
known, the effect of temperature on coral-associated bacterial diversity is
not yet fully understood. The many interactions between the coral animal and
all its symbionts provide many opportunities for adaptation to changing
environments and there is some evidence that corals may adapt to climate
change.  However, it is recognised that they are unlikely to naturally adapt
fast enough to avoid catastrophic loss of species and populations. 

 

Our research programme at UKZN and the Oceanographic Research institute
(ORI) in Durban will therefore focus on 'accelerated' coral evolution to
increase the rate and scope of adaptation using corals that are able to
survive across a wide geographic and environmental gradient.  

 

To this end, we invite applications for a PhD studentship to investigate the
physiological and transcriptional basis of resilience of corals to stress.
We are looking for motivated, self-driven students with a keen interest in
contributing to understanding global coral health.  

 

Studentships have standard NRF bursaries attached, i.e. ZAR 120 000 per
annum for a PhD.  All applicants for PhD projects must be in possession of
an MSc or SAQA equivalent in the requisite topics. 

 

The student will be based at the Oceanographic Research Institute at uShaka
Marine World in Durban, South Africa and registered at the University of
KwaZulu-Natal. They would be involved with the collection of experimental
material (inter and sub-tidally), running a long term experimental aquarium
system, measuring physiological responses of corals, isolation of RNA and
analysis of differential RNA expression via NGS RNASeq (transcriptomics).

 

Candidates should have experience in molecular biology and a passion for
marine science. Experience with next generation sequencing methods and the
requisite bioinformatics techniques will be an advantage. Diving experience
is not a prerequisite, but advanced training will be provided to those who
are interested and capable.

 

To apply: Applications should include a CV, academic record, a cover letter
stating how you meet the requirements for the project and the names of two
academic referees. 

Submit documents as one PDF via email to Dr David Pearton
(dpearton at ori.org.za). Subject of email: PhD Coral transcriptomics -
application.

 

 

DR. DAVID PEARTON

Senior Scientist, Reef Programme

 

South African Association for Marine Biological Research

Direct Tel: +27 (31) 328 8161   Fax: +27 (31) 328 8188

E-mail: dpearton at ori.org.za  Web: www.saambr.org.za
<http://www.saambr.org.za/> 

1 King Shaka Avenue, Point, Durban 4001 KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

PO Box 10712, Marine Parade 4056 KwaZulu-Natal South Africa