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Careers and Opportunities

 

Careers in Genetics

Genetics Otago and the Genetics Teaching Programme are both often asked: “What can I do with a degree majoring in Genetics?” While the answer is not quite “Anything!” it is pretty close.

The sectors requiring genetics graduates are only expanding: you could be a researcher, lab technician, innovator, genetic counsellor, bio-science marketer, forensic scientist, agricultural consultant, museum professional, science writer or journalist, policy advisor, environmental worker, teacher, patent specialist, and more.

In an attempt to show the diversity of jobs available to our graduates we hold an annual Career Evening in collaboration with the Department of Biochemistry and the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. Since 2019 these evenings have been recorded and you can watch a small selection of these presentations here.

You can watch more science graduates talk about their careers on this Careers Information Evenings YouTube playlist

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Current Opportunities

If you would like to advertise a project, job or opportunity please get in touch with us here.

Projects

  • The MAppSc (Quantitative Genetics) is looking to establish and maintain a list of research projects appropriate for their APPS597 (Supervised Independent Study) paper (https://www.otago.ac.nz/courses/papers/index.html?papercode=APPS597). Projects should be broadly statistics based, connecting genotype with phenotype and be of a suitable scope for a 40-point paper. Supervision is open to all University of Otago campuses and to industry and research institutes (supervisors need not be academic staff). If you have a project you would like considered please contact Dr Phil Wilcox (phillip.wilcox@otago.ac.nz).

 

Jobs

    • ASSISTANT RESEARCH FELLOW / POSTDOC

I am likely to have some funding to support an Assistant Research Fellow or Postdoctoral Fellow for some months next year (possibly up to a full year, TBC). Exactly what the job will entail will depend on the final amount of funding and the skills of candidate/s available. At this stage, I am interested in hearing from anyone with bioinformatic and / or genomic lab experience who might be looking for a fixed-term position next year and is interested in marine / Antarctic biology and biogeography. Contact Crid Fraser, Marine Science (ceridwen.fraser@otago.ac.nz).

 

Internship

  • Summer Student Wanted: Running in conjunction with a Callaghan grant, Mānuka Health New Zealand Limited are looking for a student that can help continue to map out and identify key traits in honeybees working alongside their team. They are looking for someone with:

    1. A degree in biology, entomology, genetics, or a related field is essential for a strong foundation in the necessary knowledge.
    2. Practical experience in beekeeping, genetic research, and laboratory work through internships, research projects, or work in apiaries is valuable.

    However, for the right student, we are happy to train them. The role will be based outside of Hamilton in the Waikato.  The role is for a 10-week period through the summer, from early November through to the end of January. If you are interested in this role please contact Brian McCall | Apiculture Strategy Manager.

  • Genetics Otago is looking for Science Communication Interns to help with content creation for our blog, YouTube channel, and annual magazine. You do not need to have formal science communication training, just an interest in the area of either genetics or science communication. Your work will be fully credited and viewed by our members, university leaders, high school students and the general public. If you are interested or would like to know more please contact us.

 

Scholarships

  • The Livestock Improvement – Patrick Shannon Scholarship Programme:  Honours and Masters Scholarships are now open for applications. Link to apply via our website The Patrick Shannon Scholarship | Careers at LIC
  • Summer scholarship: $6000 for 10 weeks to work on any project that aligns with Crid’s group’s research (see www.ceridwenfraser.com)
    Honours scholarship: $10,000 stipend plus $5500 toward fees – project to be developed on a topic that aligns with Crid’s group’s research (see www.ceridwenfraser.com)
    PhD scholarship for a Māori student: $35,000 stipend plus fee waiver – Antarctic Science Platform to work on genetics (eDNA and / or population genomics and / or evolution) of marine species in the Ross Sea Region. The team of supervisors will include senior and emerging Māori researchers. Please see Antarctic Science Platform Māori Doctoral PhD Scholarship[1] for more information.To express interest in any of these scholarships, please email Crid Fraser with your CV and a brief description of your research interests / motivation, by the end of September 2023.
  • The Heart Research Institute (AU) is excited to offer multiple Summer Undergraduate Scholarships to New Zealand’s best and brightest young researchers.This is an outstanding opportunity for talented researchers to develop their skills and gain valuable experience at state-of-the-art research facilities. High calibre scientists, new technologies and cutting-edge equipment are just a few features that make this an exciting opportunity for promising NZ Undergraduate students. The 7-week undergraduate scholarship provides high-achieving and promising students the opportunity to work on a medical research project directly related to cardiovascular disease, expand on their skills and knowledge and be mentored in a world-class research institute. Scholarship recipients will be required to write a report on their work experience and will have the opportunity to make a presentation to their peers and supervisors at the end of the scholarship period. Following the 7-week summer scholarship period, students are expected to stay on with HRI in 2024 to undertake Honours study with the University of Sydney. Placements are full-time and will begin in early January 2024.
    Those interested should apply via the HRI website: Summer Scholarships for NZ students • Heart Research Institute NZ (hri.org.nz)The job ad is also live on Seek: Summer Research Scholarships – Sydney, Australia Job in Auckland CBD, Auckland, New Zealand – SEEK

 

Competitions

None Currently

 

Participate

  • Division of Sciences Outreach Certificate – If you are a student who would like to earn hours towards an outreach certificate please get in touch. We have opportunities to write for our Blog, to participate in school outreach and to help in the organisation of hubs and events.
  • Professor Martin Kennedy, EDGI NZ co-lead Investigator, is looking for any New Zealander, aged 16 and over, with first-hand experience of an eating disorder, to volunteer for an important genetics study. For more information or to volunteer, visit www.edgi.nz or email edgi@otago.ac.nz.
  • Biomedical Research Community Survey: Biomedical Research Community Survey

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