The atmosphere: a transport medium or an active microbial ecosystem?

The Lappan Group in the Department of Microbiology at Monash University is seeking a PhD student with a keen interest in microbial ecology or environmental microbiology to commence their studies in late 2024 or early 2025. Both Australian/NZ domestic and international students are eligible to apply. To learn more about research in the Lappan Group, please visit https://www.monash.edu/discovery-institute/lappan-lab/. Microbial communities thrive in most environments on our planet across the lithosphere and hydrosphere. The atmosphere is also home to microorganisms, yet surprisingly little is understood about the atmosphere itself as a habitat. A key question remains unresolved: does the atmosphere simply transport microorganisms from one location to another, or does it harbour adapted, resident, and active microbial communities that overcome the physiological stressors and selection pressures the atmosphere poses to life? We explore these questions in detail in a recent perspective article (https://doi.org/10.1093/ismejo/wrae092), and seek to address them in our research on atmospheric microbiology. In this project, you will sample microorganisms from the atmosphere with high flowrate air samplers. You will use molecular laboratory techniques to examine the biomass and composition of the atmospheric microbial community, activity assays to determine which microorganisms are active and what they are metabolising, and imaging techniques to visualise captured microorganisms. With amplicon (bacterial and fungal) and metagenomics data you will use bioinformatics to compare the community members and structure to underlying ecosystems, distinguish genuine atmospheric inhabitants from sample contaminants, and examine their metabolic capabilities that may contribute to their survival in the atmosphere. The project components and aims can be tailored depending on your interests. The project involves a combination of field work, molecular laboratory work and bioinformatics, so would suit a student with some experience in bioinformatics who is motivated to learn new techniques and work on a challenging yet exciting project, addressing knowledge gaps in a fundamental part of the Earth’s biosphere. Selection process: The successful applicant will, at a minimum: - Fulfil the requirements for admission to a Graduate Research degree at Monash University (https://www.monash.edu/graduate-research/study/apply) - Have demonstrated research experience in microbiology, ecology, molecular biology, genetics, bioinformatics or a relevant related field through their tertiary studies or prior employment - Exhibit strong written and verbal communication skills. It is desirable, but not required, for the successful applicant to: - Hold a valid drivers’ license to facilitate fieldwork campaigns that require driving - Have demonstrated skill and previous research experience in bioinformatics and the analysis of genomic sequence data. How to apply: Please ensure that you are eligible for admission into the Graduate Research program at Monash University prior to applying. To apply, please send your CV, a copy of your full academic transcript, and a brief written letter describing your research experiences and interest in the PhD position to rachael.lappan@monash.edu by the 31st August 2024. Please be advised that you will only be contacted if you are shortlisted for the position. The successful candidate will be fully funded for 3.5 years with an annual tax-free stipend of approx. $40,000 AUD.