Opportunities for Graduates
The Department of Microbiology and Cell Science offers the following graduate research opportunities:
Microbial Biotechnology
Research on microbial biotechnology focuses on the development of genetically engineered bacteria for the conversion of plant biomass and waste into useful chemicals such as fuel ethanol and other aspects of this process. Research progress from this program has been patented and is being commercialized.
This research includes an opportunity to participate in a full range of experimental techniques including molecular genetics, enzymology, metabolic engineering, preservation and culturing methods, various types of fermentation, and industrial interactions.
We are not planning on taking new students during the coming academic year (2010-2011). However, there are other excellent faculty members in this department whose research focuses on microbial physiology/ biochemistry/ genetics and molecular biology, critical areas of knowledge base contributing to microbial biotechnology. These faculty members should provide an innovative and exciting research experience that can translate to biotechnological applications. These faculty members are actively recruiting new graduate students starting in the Fall 2010 semester. For details of faculty research interests, visit the Faculty Webpages.
Lonnie Ingram
Jim Preston
K.T. Shanmugam
Microbial Genetics and Biochemistry
Graduate Stipends to Study Microbial Genetics and Biochemistry
Openings are available for up to two new graduate students who are interested in pursuing a career in microbiology. Research projects are based on understanding the functional role and structural biology of proteases from Archaea (the third domain of life).
Current research is focused on 20S proteasomes and proteasome-activating nucleotidase proteins from the halophilic and methanogenic archaea. The archaeal proteasome proteins are analogous to subunits of the eucaryal 26S proteasome responsible for the ubiquitin-dependent degradation of proteins. The project involves molecular biology, genetics, enzymology, MS analysis, computer-assisted modeling of protein structure, and other related experimental techniques.
Based on experience, the basic annual stipend is up to U.S. $23,000/year plus tuition waver.
For more information or to apply, please contact:
Julie A. Maupin-Furlow, Ph.D.
Department of Microbiology and Cell Science
University of Florida
Bldg. 981, Museum Road
P. O. Box 110700
Gainesville, FL 32611-0700
Phone: (352)392-4095
Fax: (352)392-5922
E-mail: jmaupin@ufl.edu
Plant Biotechnology
Interdisciplinary Plant Metabolic Engineering Project
Graduate Research Assistantship, University of Florida
A Ph.D. level research assistantship is available at the University of Florida to participate in an interdisciplinary plant metabolic engineering project on one-carbon metabolism. The project is funded by NSF, DOE and NIST, and involves a network of PIs at five universities: Andrew Hanson (Univ. Florida), Hans Bohnert (Univ. Arizona), David Rhodes (Purdue Univ.), Douglas Gage (Michigan State Univ.) and Yair Shachar-Hill (New Mexico State Univ.).
The project involves molecular biology, metabolic biochemistry, MS and NMR analysis, and computer-assisted modeling of metabolism. There will be opportunities to work for short periods in other labs of the network.
Applicants should preferably already have a M.S. degree.
The basic annual stipend is U.S. $15,000 (with raises generated by the Graduate Student Union), plus tuition wavers for three years; the stipend could be raised for students with highly relevant experience. Preference will be given to U.S. or Canadian students due to the source of funding.
For more information or to apply, please contact:
Andrew Hanson
Phone: (352) 392-1928 ext. 334
E-Mail: adha@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu
Horticultural Sciences Dept.
University of Florida
