Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Claudia Lange @claudiala777.bsky.social · 6d

✨ ✨ ✨ #PhD POSITION ✨ ✨ ✨
Insect microbiomes and their role in biocontrol: a journey from field collection to invasive weed management. @aimeeemac.bsky.social @cescomartons.bsky.social

Scholarship: $37,000 (tax free) (2025/26 rate) up to three and a half years.
Based at AgriBio, the Centre for AgriBiosciences, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Successful applicants must meet the La Trobe University entry requirements for a Doctor of Philosophy degree.
Check your eligibility here: https://www]atrobe.edu.au/study/apply/research/doctor
For enquiries and to apply, please forward a covering letter, your curriculum vitae (please include evidence of research writing) and academic transcripts to: Kendra Whiteman Higher Education Manager Agriculture Victoria Research kendra.whiteman@agriculture.vic.gov.au
Closing date for applications: until filled
Title: Insect microbiomes and their role in biocontrol: a journey from field collection to invasive weed management
PhD Project Aims
• Explore the microbiome composition of biocontrol insect/s and host plants collected from the field in their native range
• Understand the impact of lab quarantine protocols, mass rearing, and release under conditions on insect microbiome and fecundity
• Develop methods to preserve or supplement beneficial microbes to cultured insects
The successful candidate will be supervised by A/Prof Paul Cunningham, Dr Aimee McKinnon and Dr Francesco Martoni and Dr Raelene Kwong. With potential opportunities to travel internationally and collaborate with experts at the Bioeconomy Science Institute, New Zealand, this PhD will shape the future of biocontrol programs in Australia and internationally.

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Claudia Lange @claudiala777.bsky.social · Aug 5

Or the vertical transmission of symbionts? Can you keep some eggs without sterilising in case they need them?

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Claudia Lange @claudiala777.bsky.social · Aug 4

What is the black stuff on the eggs?

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Reposted by Claudia Lange

Jasmin Taylor @meshedlight.bsky.social · Jun 28

Aotearoa Te Waipounamu: for
d/Deaf/HOH community - this talk will be NZSL interpreted

STEM Communication Trust has full subsidised (free to you) tickets to give away to d/Deaf/HOH community, can message me for info

Bridget Williams Books @bwbnz.bsky.social · Jun 25

Event announcement!

Author Shaun Hendy will be speaking with Professor Jemma Geoghegan, Professor Dianne Sika-Paotonu and Professor Sir David Skegg at SciFest!

🏠 Te Whare o Rukutia, 20 Princes St Dunedin
📊 Wednesday 2 July, 5.30pm!

Read more and register here: scifest.org.nz/programme/lif...

Life after Covid: Lessons, challenges and the road ahead | NZ Science Festival

A discussion between Professor Shaun Hendy, Professor Jemma Geoghegan, Professor Dianne Sika-Paotonu, and Professor Sir David Skegg.

scifest.org.nz

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Reposted by Claudia Lange

Matilde Florean @matildeflorean.bsky.social · Aug 27

The working dead 🧟‍♀️: not just a metaphor for PhD students but also an enzymatic strategy!

If you are curious how a pseudoenzyme (aka the “dead” version of an enzyme) produces indole in plants 🌱check out our preprint: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...

#PlantBiology#natprod @oconnorlab.bsky.social

Highjacked by a pseudoenzyme: How eudicot plants make indole

bioRxiv - the preprint server for biology, operated by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, a research and educational institution

www.biorxiv.org

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Grant Jacobs BioinfoTools/NotJustDNA 🔬🧬🖥️✍️📚 @notjustdna.bsky.social · Jun 15

#NZpol Now available for anyone to read -

Newsroom NZ @newsroom.co.nz · Jun 15

New Māori research funding came alongside cuts to a pre-existing pathway, leaving the three projects already halfway through the process in the lurch.

Govt cuts Māori research projects that don't fit with 'growth agenda'

newsroom.co.nz

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Reposted by Claudia Lange

Ben Paris @nzbatman.bsky.social · Jun 11

Our Environment Services team has an opportunity for 2 experienced Senior Biosecurity Advisor Plants to join the team! Be a part of leading the delivery of regional biosecurity projects to improve Auckland's biodiversity!
www.seek.co.nz/job/84841937
@imogenbassett.bsky.social #pestfreeAKL

Senior Biosecurity Advisor Pest Plants Job in Auckland CBD, Auckland - SEEK

You would work on developing and managing biosecurity projects to minimise the adverse impacts of pest plants across the region

www.seek.co.nz

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Reposted by Claudia Lange

NZAS - New Zealand Association of Scientists @nzscientists.bsky.social · May 30

📢 Applications open for the 2025 Science Medals from the New Zealand Association of Scientists. scientists.org.nz/how-to-apply

Check out this thread for the medals available - including one NEW this year.

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Nancy Moran @nancy-moran.bsky.social · May 29

Looking for a postdoc on bacterial-insect symbiosis, combining evolution and molecular mechanisms? I'll have one open in my lab starting Sept 2025. If interested contact me (or find me at the GRC on Animal-microbe symbiosis if you'll be there). #SymbioSky

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Claudia Lange @claudiala777.bsky.social · May 29

⏰ Abstract submissions for the ISCE-APACE 2025 have been extended to 2 June (NZ time). Join us in beautiful Christchurch for this chemical ecology event!
scienceevents.eventsair.com/isce-apace-2...

Home - 2025 Joint Conference of the International Society of Chemical Ecology and the Asia-Pacific Association of Chemical Ecologists - Christchurch Town Hall

scienceevents.eventsair.com

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Claudia Lange @claudiala777.bsky.social · May 26

Congratulations Matilde 🍾🥳

Reposted by Claudia Lange

Anna Frances Probert @afprobert.bsky.social · May 26

Two academic (lecturer) positions available at the University of Otago in Aotearoa/New Zealand! One in Conservation Biology, another in Evolutionary Ecology. Links for positions below:
otago.taleo.net/careersectio...
otago.taleo.net/careersectio...

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Emily Claereboudt @emclaereboudt.bsky.social · May 21

💡 Submit your abstract here:
👉 scienceevents.eventsair.com/isce-apace-2...

Abstracts - 2025 Joint Conference of the International Society of Chemical Ecology and the Asia-Pacific Association of Chemical Ecologists - Christchurch Town Hall

scienceevents.eventsair.com

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Claudia Lange @claudiala777.bsky.social · May 14

🚨The ISCE-APACE abstract submission deadline is 30th May🚨 With a wide variety of symposia themes, there is something for everyone to explore and contribute to. Also, consider nominating deserving individuals for the APACE awards! scienceevents.eventsair.com/isce-apace-2...

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Cilla Wehi @cillaw.bsky.social · May 10

The state of NZ science and research. Grossly underfunded. Watchdog warns of ‘grave danger’ if science reform botched newsroom.co.nz/2025/05/09/e...

Watchdog warns of ‘grave danger’ if science reform botched

The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment thought the Government could hamstring NZ's research capability by ignoring the advice it commissioned.

newsroom.co.nz

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Manpreet Dhami @manpreetkdhami.bsky.social · Apr 30

PhD position available - plant-microbe-pollinator interactions in Kowhai flowers! With myself & Prof Jacqueline Beggs, based at Manaaki Whenua, Lincoln. Details below, or DM me! @microbiologysociety.org @evoldir.bsky.social @aucklanduni.bsky.social @microbiologynz.bsky.social

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Chrissie Painting @cpaintingnz.bsky.social · Apr 5

Wanna come work with me? We're advertising a fixed term Lecturer in Animal Behaviour at Waikato. We're especially keen on someone who works on birds, reptiles, bats etc. Let me know if you have questions!
www.seek.co.nz/job/83279795...

Lecturer - Animal Behaviour Job in Hillcrest, Waikato - SEEK

Seeking an enthusiastic Lecturer in Animal Behaviour to teach, research, and supervise in ecology, biodiversity, and animal behaviour.

www.seek.co.nz

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Glen Dsouza @nonresidentdesi.bsky.social · Mar 30

Excited about microbiomes and want to study them at the single-cell level? Join our team to pioneer research using microfluidics paired with automated timelapse microscopy. We're hiring motivated postdocs to push the boundaries of microbial ecology!

Apply now: apply.interfolio.com/165601

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Emily Claereboudt @emclaereboudt.bsky.social · Mar 24

🚨Registration & abstract submission is open for this years International Society of Chemical Ecology Conference! scienceevents.eventsair.com/isce-apace-2...
🎙️ I am also happy to share that I will be chairing the “Aquatic Chemical Ecology” session! 🌊👃👅🧫 Hope to see heaps of you in beautiful NZ 🏔️🇳🇿

Registration - 2025 Joint Conference of the International Society of Chemical Ecology and the Asia-Pacific Association of Chemical Ecologists - Christchurch Town Hall

scienceevents.eventsair.com

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MAGALI PROFFIT @magproffit.bsky.social · Jan 3

scienceevents.eventsair.com/isce-apace-2...

Home - 2025 Joint Conference of the International Society of Chemical Ecology and the Asia-Pacific Association of Chemical Ecologists - Christchurch Town Hall

scienceevents.eventsair.com

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Paul Szyszka @paulszyszka.bsky.social · Jan 21

Chemical Ecology Conference in New Zealand, Aug 2025: scienceevents.eventsair.com/isce-apace-2...

Home - 2025 Joint Conference of the International Society of Chemical Ecology and the Asia-Pacific Association of Chemical Ecologists - Christchurch Town Hall

scienceevents.eventsair.com

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Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology @mpi-ce.bsky.social · Mar 14

We are excited about our new call for applications - we offer 8 cool projects and 5 doctoral positions in Chemical Ecology! Have a look at the projects and apply!
www.ice.mpg.de/296576/adver...
jobs.ice.mpg.de/en/jobpostin...

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Insect Symbiosis Lab @kaltenpoth-lab.bsky.social · Mar 13

We offer a PhD project within our International Max Planck Research School "Chemical Communication in Ecological Systems" on "Metabolic exchanges, regulation and equilibrium of an ancient insect symbiosis" (Project 5). Please share, inform & apply here: www.ice.mpg.de/129183/imprs

IMPRS

www.ice.mpg.de

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Ute Hellmich @hellmichgroup.bsky.social · Mar 13

Excited about structural biology & chemical ecology?!? We are looking for PhD/PD researchers for two collaborative projects with @yukoulrich.bsky.social l & @oconnorlab.bsky.social
🦠🌱🐜🧪

The 2025 project call with the IMPRS of the @mpi-ce.bsky.social is out! www.ice.mpg.de/296548/curre...

Current Call

www.ice.mpg.de

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Chris Niebuhr, PhD @mongoosekiwi.bsky.social · Mar 11

Sharing our recent paper for those interested:

"Modelling transmission and control of Toxoplasma gondii in New Zealand farmland" royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10....

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