Graduate Research in Plant Sciences - Overview

Plant Sciences serves as a focal point for graduate students interested in the broad range of research in plant biology that exists in the scientific community in Canberra. This community is unique in Australia, contains many world leaders in plant science, and includes researchers in the School of Biology at ANU and the CSIRO Division of Plant Industry. The staff of these institutes, together with many visiting world experts, provide students with opportunities to work in world-renowned research teams and on cutting-edge research projects. They also enable students to establish contacts with groups in other states and countries, and to experience the stimulating scientific atmosphere of a leading research centre. Annual graduate student retreats, conference travel awards, graduate training workshops and the Plant Sciences Seminar Series enrich the student experience.

The scope of Plant Sciences is broad and includes cellular and molecular analysis of plant growth and development; functional genomics of plant growth and development; plant-microbe interactions (incl. symbiotic and pathogenic interactions); plant environmental biology and stress physiology; and plant nutrition. There are many opportunities for research that is directly or indirectly related to problems in Australian biotechnology, agriculture and forestry.

Plant Sciences currently encompasses approximately 45 students and over 70 staff members at ANU and CSIRO. The students enjoy some of the finest research facilities available in Australia. In addition to modern research laboratories, there are state-of-the-art plant culture facilities; a scanning and transmission electron microscopy unit; advanced light microscopy facilities; a mass spectroscopy unit; nucleic acid and protein synthesis and sequencing facilities; proteomics and microarray facilities; plant transformation and functional genomic imaging facilities; and substantial computing facilities.

Research degrees
PhD
MPhil