Alan Jamieson

A fully funded PhD opportunity is available at the University of Western Australia’s OceanOmics Centre and UWA Oceans Institute, focusing on advancing deep-sea biodiversity discovery through genomics and environmental DNA (eDNA). The project aims to address critical gaps in reference genomic data for deep-sea taxa and develop deep-sea–specific metabarcoding primers, applying these tools across multiple oceanic regions. The research will combine molecular ecology, genomics, bioinformatics, and ecological analysis to improve taxonomic resolution and understanding of deep-sea ecosystems. Candidates will map genomic gaps, curate reference barcodes, design and validate primers, and integrate data to assess biodiversity and biogeography. The successful applicant will work closely with a team of supervisors, including Professor Alan Jamieson, Dr Georgia Nester, Dr Shannon Corrigan, Dr Jess Kolbusz, Dr Philipp Bayer, and Dr Emma de Jong. Applicants should have a background in molecular ecology, marine genomics, or marine ecology, with desirable skills in DNA metabarcoding, primer design, bioinformatics, and statistical modelling. The position offers a top-up scholarship, bringing total support to $50,000 AUD per year, and is open to international candidates. To apply, send a CV and covering letter to Dr Georgia Nester or Dr Shannon Corrigan. The application deadline is December 31, 2025. More information is available at the provided links.