University of Otago
5 days ago
University of Otago PhD Scholarship
Fully Funded PhD in Quantifying Cellular Carbon Allocation for Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal University of Otago in New Zealand
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Chemistry
Funding
Full funding availableDeadline
Aug 7, 2026
Country
New Zealand
University
University of Otago

How do I apply for this?
Sign in for free to reveal details, requirements, and source links.
Apply for this position
Keywords
Suggested scholarships
About this position
PhD opportunity at the University of Otago (Dunedin, New Zealand) in the Departments of Chemistry and Marine Science, within the broader “Catching Marine Carbon: testing ocean solutions for climate mitigation using natural analogues” project.
The project focuses on marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR), chemistry, biogeochemistry, and marine sciences. The successful candidate will develop new methods to rapidly measure lipids and protein-associated biomass in individual marine phytoplankton cells, helping track phytoplankton carbon allocation and the fate of carbon from the surface ocean to the deep ocean.
Research activities include developing dissolvable fluorescent sensing layers, using fluorescence microscopy, image analysis, and computer vision to quantify cell-level signals, and contributing to laboratory culture experiments under nutrient/iron fertilisation. The work also connects directly to monitoring, reporting, and verification frameworks for mCDR technologies in Aotearoa New Zealand.
This is a fully funded 3-year PhD scholarship with a tax-free stipend of NZ$35,000 per year and a full tuition fee waiver. The position is open to students worldwide.
Eligibility highlights: applicants should have an MSc and/or BSc (Hons) in chemistry or a related field, plus strong laboratory and quantitative skills. Helpful but not required experience includes fluorescence microscopy, Python/R, image analysis, microbial culturing, and knowledge of the marine carbon system.
Applications are accepted until the position is filled, with review beginning on 7 August 2026. Start date is expected between October 2026 and January 2027. Apply by email to christina.mcgraw@otago.ac.nz with a cover letter, CV, and transcripts.
Funding details
Full funding including tuition fees and living expenses is available for this position. The scholarship covers all educational costs and provides a monthly stipend.
How to apply
Please submit your application including a cover letter, CV, academic transcripts, and contact information for two references. Applications should be sent via the online portal before the deadline.
More information can be found here
View more positions in University of Otago PhD Scholarship
Ask ApplyKite AI

How do I apply for this?
Sign in for free to reveal details, requirements, and source links.