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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).
  • Charting new neuronal survival pathways in Parkinson’s disease. The Neurodegenerative and Lysosomal Disease Laboratory is interested in the molecular and cellular basis of neurodegenerative disease, in particular how lysosome dysfunction influences
    disease development. We have a research project available for a prospective MSc student starting in 2023. The candidates will have a strong interest in neurodegenerative disease, a background in cell culture techniques, excellent communication, team-work abilities, and a drive to succeed. You will already have either a BSc in neuroscience, genetics, or biochemistry. More Info here. For further information on the project and application, please contact Dr. Indranil Basak or A/Prof. Stephanie Hughes.
  • Is cannabis safe to use during pregnancy? Integrated multi-omic and functional analyses of the genomic and molecular impact of exposure during development. The University of Canterbury, supervised by Dr Amy Osborne. More Info here Enquiries: Dr Amy Osborne
  • Cancer Epigenetics Projects Department of Pathology, supervised by Associate Professor Aniruddha Chatterjee. More Info here Enquiries: A/Prof Aniruddha Chatterjee
  • Investigation of the connection between cohesin’s roles in cell division and gene expression in embryonic cell fate commitment. Department of Pathology, supervised by Professor Julia Horsfield. More Info here Enquiries: Prof Julia Horsfield

 

Jobs

  • Lecturer – Pathology and Molecular Medicine (Wellington)
    This Lecturer role represents an exciting opportunity for an early career academic to make a significant contribution to on-going teaching of postgraduates and contribute to undergraduate medical teaching programmes depending on your particular expertise. The successful candidate will be expected to have a PhD in a human genomics related field and experience in a clinical laboratory or translational research experience. Alternatively, candidates with related medical degrees will be considered. The position is Full time and permanent, though flexible hours will be considered. Applications close Wednesday, 1 March 2023. Apply here. Enquiries to Diane Kenwright.

 

Internship

  • 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

None Currently

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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