PhD student position in Metabolomics as a tool for biomarker discovery and diagnosing ‘metabolic health’: Metabolomics is generally regarded as the application of un-biased, global chemical analysis to achieve a comprehensive analysis of the full complement of metabolites contained within a biological system.
As such, metabolomics provides a key tool to describe the response of a cell, tissue or even whole organism to a variety of factors, including changes in its metabolic function or alterations to its environment.
It requires utilisation of advanced analytical tools to measure the hundreds/thousands of both known and unknown metabolites across a wide array of metabolite classes and concentrations. The unbiased measurement of the metabolome facilitates the discovery of biomarkers for health/diet/environmental effects on both known and unknown metabolites.
Requirements / Qualifications: We are seeking an outstanding PhD candidate to undertake research developing and implementing mass-spectrometry based metabolomics methodologies to determine biomarkers of metabolic health in pre-diabetic New Zealand Asian and Caucasian populations. The project is funded by the High Value Nutrition National Science Challenge Peak Nutrition for Metabolic Health research theme and aims to contribute to the development of predictive phenotypic biomarkers of metabolic diseases such as diabetes. The PhD thesis will build on existing metabolomics methodologies and develop enhanced methodologies for biomarker discovery, including tools for handling large data sets and integrating with pathway mapping tools.
This three year studentship includes an annual tax-free stipend tuition fees and consumables. The research will be undertaken within the Food Nutrition & Health team at AgResearch Grasslands in Palmerston North, New Zealand. The PhD candidate will be enrolled at Massey University, and have supervisors from the Massey School of Food and Nutrition, Massey Institute of Fundamental Sciences, and the University of Auckland School of Biological Sciences.
The ideal candidate must have:
• A B+ grade or better in a relevant Masters or Honours degree (e.g. chemistry, biochemistry, nutrition), and demonstrated experience in performing research
• Excellent written and oral communication skills (IELTS score of 6.5 across all bands required if English is not first language)
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills, and a good understanding of large datasets
• Diligence, resilience and enthusiasm.
Previous experience working in a chemistry laboratory or performing statistical analysis on large datasets would be advantageous.
AgResearch is one of New Zealand’s leading Crown Research organisations. AgResearch’s purpose is to enhance the value, productivity and profitability of New Zealand’s pastoral, agri-food and agri-technology sector value chains to contribute to economic growth and beneficial environmental and social outcomes for New Zealand.
The intended start date for this project is 01 February 2016, or as soon as possible after this date.
Deadline: 09 December 2015.
Contact details: Interested persons can contact Dr Karl Fraser by email (karl.fraser@agresearch.co.nz) or phone (+64-6-351-8222) for further information.