PhD - Scholarship

[Roger DeKok]

Evolutionary relationships in the Verbenaceae with particular
emphasis on invasive taxa within the genus Lantana

        PhD - Scholarship

 The thrust of this project will be to assess the variation and
relationships
 within and among the weedy taxa of Lantana at a series of evolutionary
 levels from the individual population to the genus and its position in the
 Verbenaceae. A combination of molecular and morphological approaches will
be
 used. Molecular characters will be chosen with particular questions in mind
 and are likely to range from microsatellites (within and among population
 variation) through to sequencing of both nuclear and chloroplast genes.

 Questions to address will include:
        *       To elucidate the phylogenetic and genetic relationships
 among Lantana taxa in Australia;
        *       To place these relationships into a broader consideration of
 Lantana as an international weed;
        *       To ascertain the relationship of Lantana to other genera
 within the Verbenaceae.

 The scholarship is restricted to Australian residents and is offered for 3
 years, subject to satisfactory progress and approved continuation of
funding
 by the Weeds CRC.  The stipend will be in line with the APA Industry
approx.
 $22,500 per annum.

 Applications in triplicate (incl. full CV, copy of undergraduate
transcript,
 and names and addresses of 3 referees) should be sent to Dr Chris Preston,
 University of Adelaide, PMB 1, Glen Osmond,  SA 5064, by 31 May 2002.
 Reference number: CRAWM PG01

 For further information:

        Dr Rogier de Kok,
        Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research,
        CSIRO - Plant Industry,
        G.P.O. Box 1600,
        Canberra, A.C.T. 2601
        Phone: (02) 6246 5177
 http://www.anbg.gov.au/cpbr/positions/lantana-phd.html