Funded PhD Opportunities at Lincoln University, Aotearoa-New Zealand!
Applicants must meet the Lincoln University entry requirements.
🌊🧬 Project 1: Historical Changes in Microalgal Communities in Coastal Aotearoa
We’re looking for a motivated PhD student to join a multi-institutional team investigating historical changes in marine microalgal communities in coastal Aotearoa-New Zealand.
This exciting project uses sediment cores, eDNA and paleoecological tools to uncover how human impacts and environmental change have shaped our coastal ecosystems over time. You’ll work with researchers from Lincoln University, Cawthron Institute, and GNS Science, alongside international experts and in partnership with hapori Māori.
Supervisors: Prof. Susie Wood, Assoc. Dr Kyle Bland (GNS Science), Dr Kirsty Smith (Cawthron)
👉 More info & to apply here.
🔬 Project 2: Impacts of Freshwater Acidification and Trace Metals on Algae
This PhD will investigate how acidification and trace metals affect freshwater algae communities. The project is part of the MBIE Endeavour-funded programme “Safeguarding Te Mana o te Awa o Waikato from Emerging Climatic Pressures” and offers exciting opportunities to work alongside leading researchers and the river’s kaitiaki (guardians).
Supervisors: Prof. Susie Wood, Assoc. Prof. Niklas Lehto (Lincoln University), Assoc. Prof. Adam Hartland (Lincoln Agritech)
👉 More info & to apply https://lnkd.in/gVac4QjK.
🧬 Project 3: Characterising Cyanobacteria from Extreme Environments
This PhD will involve isolating and characterising nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria from extreme environments, including Antarctica. The research spans two funded projects: A MBIE Smart Idea to develop climate-positive nitrogen fertilisers (led by Cawthron) and a Marsden Fast Start exploring the survival strategies of Antarctic cyanobacteria (led by University of Waikato). A suite of genomic tools will be used during this project
Supervisors: Prof. Susie Wood (Lincoln University), Dr Stephen Noell (University of Waikato), Dr Phil Novis (Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research), Dr Jonathan Puddick (Cawthron Institute)
👉 More info & to apply – https://lnkd.in/ga_VVDKd
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🚨 Master’s thesis scholarship – Microbial genetics in lakes 🌊🧬
Applicants must meet the Lincoln University entry requirements.
This scholarship is only available to New Zealand citizens or residents. We’re offering a funded Master’s project investigating microbial metagenomes from over 150 lakes across Aotearoa New Zealand. This project is part of the MBIE-funded Smart Idea initiative: “Applying a functional evidence approach to prioritise lake restoration initiatives.”
You’ll explore how microbial functions (e.g., carbon fixation, antimicrobial resistance) vary with environmental conditions.
✅ Stipend: $15,000 + tuition fees
✅ Supervision: Prof. Susie Wood (Lincoln Uni) & Dr John Pearman (Cawthron Institute)
✅ Start: early 2026
🎯 Ideal background: eDNA analysis, R coding skills
📩 Apply by emailing Susie.wood@lincoln.ac.nz with your CV, academic transcript, motivation letter, and two referee contact(s).
Southern environmental DNA society 
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