Investigating the role of the LY49B gene in early embryo loss in Thoroughbred horses University of Newcastle in Australia

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About this position

*Fully Funded PhD Opportunity: Reproductive Genomics in Thoroughbred Horses
The University of Newcastle and AgriFutures Australia are seeking a motivated PhD candidate to investigate the role of the LY49B gene in early embryo loss in Thoroughbred horses.

This project aims to address a significant challenge in the Australian breeding industry: unexplained early pregnancy failures potentially linked to a prevalent recessive genetic variant.

This project will focus on two main areas:
* Profiling the LY49B gene in the Australian Thoroughbred population through large-scale genomic analysis.
* Assessing the biological impact of LY49B on embryo development using advanced reproductive biology techniques.

The selected candidate will be enrolled at the University of Newcastle under the supervision of A/Prof Zamira Gibb. The candidate will also receive advanced training in equine genomics at the University of Sydney with Dr Brandon Velie.

Prerequisites
* An undergraduate degree in animal, veterinary, or biological sciences (or a related field).
* An Honours or Masters qualification in a relevant discipline (essential).
* Substantial hands-on experience with horses and the equine industry (essential).
* Experience in both reproduction and genomics (desirable).
* A valid driver's license (essential).
* Access to a car, or the intention to purchase one upon arrival (highly desirable).

Scholarship and Application
A tax-exempt PhD stipend of $38,563 per annum is attached to this project. Preference will be given to applicants who already hold a Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship or bring their own stipend.
This opportunity is open to Australian applicants first, but international candidates are encouraged to apply as well, as an international candidate may be selected if a suitable Australian candidate is not found within the first month.

To apply, please email the following documents to A/Prof Zamira Gibb at [email protected] by October 15, 2025:
* A CV
* Academic transcripts
* A cover letter outlining your suitability for the role
# PhD # JobOpportunity # Research # Genomics # EquineScience # UniversityofNewcastle # ThoroughbredHorses # AnimalScience # AcademicJob # Australia

Funding details

Full funding including tuition fees and living expenses is available for this position. The scholarship covers all educational costs and provides a monthly stipend.

How to apply

Please submit your application including a cover letter, CV, academic transcripts, and contact information for two references. Applications should be sent via the online portal before the deadline.

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