Graduate research opportunities on dinoflagellate biodiversity and genomics

Biodiversity of picodinoflagellates: This is a 5-year project funded by NSF’s “Assembly of Tree of Life” program. Research focus will be investigation of genetic diversity of picodinoflagellate in oceanic as well as coastal marine systems, phylogeny of undocumented taxa, and culture studies of some of these picodinoflagellates. Experience in molecular biology/phylogeny is preferable and that in marine ecosystem is a plus.

Genetic approach to the understanding of regulation of gene expression, grazing, and toxin production in dinoflagellates: This is NSF’s “Microbial Genome Sequencing Program” project. Research focus will be sequencing full-length cDNA for the toxic dinoflagellates, Karlodinium micrum and Amphidinium carterae, interrogating the functions of the genes, detecting gene regulation elements (e.g. trans-splicing, microRNA), and assembling metabolic pathways associated with grazing and toxin production. Initial funding is for 2.5 years but renewal is possible. Experience in molecular biology and experience or interest in toxicology is preferable.

Both positions carry a stipend, tuition waiver, and subsidized health insurance benefits. To learn more about the marine molecular ecology research at the Department of Marine Sciences, University of Connecticut, please check the website (http://www.phytoplankton.uconn.edu). To apply, contact Dr. Senjie Lin at senjie.lin@uconn.edu or 860-405-9168.