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PhD students
If are you interested in understanding how species interactions and species traits (particularly those related to metabolism!) shape communities, Giulia is recruiting PhD students at Monash University (Melbourne, Australia). 
The specific PhD project can be defined according to interests of the candidate, within the broader research interests of the group. All projects in our lab will use phytoplankton as a model system and will require generating novel data through the execution of lab experiments. There will be opportunities to continue/develop collaborations in Australia and internationally.
Two available projects are:

Project 1: Understanding how warming and resources affect the shape of population growth 
How species grow influences the ability of species to coexist as well as the productivity of their communities. New data from our lab show that interactions within populations might reduce growth before resources become limiting. The project will explore how two main environmental drivers (warming and resources) interact to shape these responses and growth patterns across species of very different sizes, leveraging the size variation of phytoplankton which span more than three orders of magnitude in cell volume.
 
Project 2: Determining how co-adaptation influences the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning (BEF)
The student will use experimental evolution to evolve phytoplankton species in different competitive environments. The evolved species will be used to assemble of co-adapted or naïve communities using common garden experiments to determine how species co-adaptation influences BEF relationships, with particular focus on traits related to metabolic rates and resource use.

If you are interested in discussing a PhD application, contact Giulia (giulia.ghedini [at] monash.edu) with a motivation letter (2 pages max) explaining your research interests and why you want to join the lab; and your CV (2 page max) including your university final grades, a list of publications if available, and contacts of two referees.

Eligibility and scholarship information: https://www.monash.edu/study/fees-scholarships/scholarships/find-a-scholarship/monash-graduate-scholarship-mgs

Postdoc positions
Currently we do not have funded postdoc positions but I am happy to discuss and support applications for postdoctoral fellowships (DECRA, HFSP, Marie Curie etc) if there is mutual interest. Feel free to get in touch to discuss your research interests and how they fit with the lab - please also attach a copy of your CV.

Honours students/undergraduates
If you would like to join the lab to develop a project and/or get some research experience, contact Giulia to discuss current opportunities. Please attach your transcript.
Lab Philosophy
Our lab is a space for discovery, learning and inclusivity. All lab members strive for and are expected to create a safe, supportive and welcoming environment. We champion curiosity, collaborative research, diversity and support each other goals and careers.