Degree type
PhD
Closing date
1 April 2024
Campus
Hobart
Citizenship requirement
Domestic / International
Scholarship
$32,192pa for 3.5 years
About the research project
Atlantic salmon aquaculture is a key industry in Tasmania, providing over 80,000 T of production per annum, valued at more than $1 billion. Amoebic gill disease (AGD) is the main parasitic disease affecting fish in sea pens and is controlled by freshwater bathing in specialised 'wellboats'. Fish are held in the freshwater well for a few hours before being transferred back to their pen while the water is retained on the wellboat. Water is generally re-used for 3-4 groups of fish and managed to key water quality parameters. Currently, it is unknown whether freshwater reuse constitutes an increased risk of viable pathogen exposure as salmon cohorts are sequentially passed through the treatment system.
The PhD candidate will explore the dynamics of potential pathogens in wellboat systems, and their distribution on salmon farms, using a range of culture-based and cutting-edge molecular techniques such as DNA and RNA metagenomics. In doing so, the candidate will also develop tools aimed at supporting sustainable and effective bathwater management.
The PhD candidate will have the opportunity to work within a multidisciplinary team. The project will require a fieldwork component, allowing the candidate to gain a variety of hands-on skills. The candidate is expected to communicate within a team and with external partners, contribute to existing scientific literature, and report ideas and findings efficiently both in written and oral forms.
This PhD project is prestigious and in honour of Dr Harry King who was a widely respected aquaculture biologist and left an indelible mark on the Atlantic salmon industry as a research scientist and farm manager. A fully funded scholarship by the "Dr Harry King Memorial Scholarship" will provide the opportunity to begin a career in environmental pathobiology and to continue Harry's work to apply impactful solutions to aquaculture production. The successful applicant will be embedded in an emerging salmon research team of academic and industry leaders inclusive of IMAS, CSIRO, Tassal, Huon Aquaculture, and BioMar.
The supervisory and research advisory team will include:
Dr Gianluca Amoroso - UTAS Research fellow in Aquaculture - Salmon Production
Dr Mark Adams - UTAS Senior Research Fellow in Aquaculture - AGD expert
Dr Richard Taylor - CSIRO Senior Experimental Scientist - AGD expert
Dr Pascal Craw - CSIRO Research Scientist - Microbial genomics
Dr Laura Baseggio - CSIRO Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Microbial genomics
Dr Jasmine Knowles - Huon Veterinary and Group Fish Health Manager
Primary Supervisor
Meet Dr Gianluca AmorosoFunding
The successful applicant will receive a scholarship which provides:
- a living allowance stipend co-funded by CSIRO of $32,192 per annum (2024 rate, indexed annually) for 3.5 years
- a relocation allowance of up to $2,000
- a tuition fees offset covering the cost of tuition fees for up to four years (domestic applicants only)
If successful, international applicants will receive a University of Tasmania Fees Offset for up to four years.
As part of the application process you may indicate if you do not wish to be considered for scholarship funding.
Additional funding
If successful, applicants will also receive a top-up scholarship of $2,500 per annum for 3.5 years.
Other funding opportunities and fees
For further information regarding other scholarships on offer, and the various fees of undertaking a research degree, please visit our Scholarships and fees on research degrees page.
Eligibility
Applicants should review the Higher Degree by Research minimum entry requirements.
Ensure your eligibility for the scholarship round by referring to our Key Dates.
Additional eligibility criteria specific to this project/scholarship:
- Applicants must be able to undertake the project on-campus
Selection Criteria
The project is competitively assessed and awarded. Selection is based on academic merit and suitability to the project as determined by the College.
Additional essential selection criteria specific to this project:
- Molecular biology proficiency at Honours/Masters level
- Experimental design and statistical analysis
- High-level written communication and ability to publish research
- Handling and sampling experimental animals
- Willing to travel and work in remote locations and commercial environments
Additional desirable selection criteria specific to this project:
- Bioinformatic analysis
- Experience with histology
- Driver licence
Application process
- Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
- Contact Dr Gianluca Amoroso to discuss your suitability and the project's requirements; and
- In your application:
- Copy and paste the title of the project from this advertisement into your application. If you don’t correctly do this your application may be rejected.
- Submit a signed supervisory support form, a CV including contact details of 2 referees and your project research proposal.
- Apply prior to 1 April 2024.
Full details of the application process can be found under the 'How to apply' section of the Research Degrees website.
Following the closing date applications will be assessed within the College. Applicants should expect to receive notification of the outcome by email by the advertised outcome date.
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