Sattlegger Lab

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PhD, Masters,
and other postgraduate openings: 
(updated 11 Dec 2019)

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PhD scholarship available, apply NOW

for a PhD project in the field of Basic Biomedical Sciences.

This PhD project aims to test a potential novel drug target against cancer.  This project builds on very promising findings we have obtained recently.  The Sattlegger research group is interested in deciphering how signalling pathways work to ensure normal biological function and cellular homeostasis, how it can go wrong and lead to diseases and disorders.  In order to develop better measures to treat diseases or disorders, we first must fully understand - at the molecular level - the normal biological function and the suitability of potential drug targets.  Hence this project is critical for inform the potential development of new anti-cancer drugs.

Due to confidentiality the project cannot be outlined here in more detail.  Once you are shortlisted, you will be given more detail about the project.  The Sattlegger group provides you with a unique opportunity to develop interdisciplinary skills from various disciplines, such as molecular biology, genetics, molecular genetics, gene engineering, cell biology, experimental evolution, microbiology, and/or protein biochemistry (protein-protein interactions, kinase assay, protein structure models).  Yeast biology, mammalian cell culture.  Also, if interested you will be given opportunities to develop skills for teaching students.  Together, this sets you up very well for your future career.  PhD students graduating from the Sattlegger lab have secured prestigious positions, such as postdoc positions at the highly reputed National Institute of Health, USA, and at a Medical University in Sweden, or a Research Development position at a large Biopharma Company.  For more information on the Sattlegger group in general see www.sattlegger-lab.webs.com.

Massey University is ranked in the top 300 Universities in the world (QS ranking released 19/6/2019, see https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/massey-university)!  Massey University has world-leading staff; teaching and conducting research at the forefront of molecular biology. Our School of Natural & Computational Sciences offers degrees in a large number of majors, and has >80 PhD students. https://tinyurl.com/y56ebal6. 

Auckland is New Zealand's largest city, the world's largest Polynesian city, with a population of 2 million, and is one of the world's most multicultural cities. The Massey University Auckland campus, where this position will be based, is located on the North Shore, only a 15min drive away from Auckland, close to a number of beaches, with opportunities for outdoor recreation in easy reach.

The selection criteria are as follows:

1. Evidence of ability to conduct laboratory and hypothesis-driven research (e.g. Masters thesis project)

2. Relevant Masters, or BSc First Class Honours Degree, with at least(!) an A- (80%)

3. Ability and willingness to self-manage

4. Ability and willingness to work in a team environment

5. Solid knowledge in cell culture work. For this you must have high attention to detail, be patient when working with cell lines, be prepared to feed them over the weekend and holidays whenever necessary. Excellent hands-on experience is advantageous.

6. Background/knowledge/experience relevant to the project area.  Hands-on expertise in protein work, and protein-protein interaction assays, is advantageous

7. Passion for research, high interest in learning.  

Application:  Please send your CV, academic transcripts, names and email of at least 2 academic references, and a letter explaining how you meet the selection criteria to [email protected].  State PhD2020-Scholarship in the subject line, state in your email the % marks or GPA achieved in your BSc and postgraduate degrees, and indicate if you have New Zealand residence/citizenship or already have a visa, and when you can start the PhD the earliest.  

Applications will be considered as they are received.  Starting date for the PhD project is early 2020.

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PhD projects

Characterisation of a novel regulatory axis

that is linked to

various diseases and disorders.

Required Qualifications:  Completed MSc, MPhil or BSc(Hons) degree in Molecular Biology, Genetics, Biochemistry, Structural Biology or equivalent.

PhD scholarship:  You must have achieved at least 88% in your postgraduate degree, to be eligible to apply for the scholarship (this is a GPA of 3.5/4, 4.4/5, or 8/9).  The PhD scholarship is for full time PhD studies, and is tax free, NZ$ 25,000 p.a. plus tuition and non-tuition fees, for 36 months.  You must commence your studies early 2020. 

Required and preferred skills:  Must have solid skills in laboratory work.  Expertise in molecular biology, recombinant protein expression and purification, and co-precipitation studies, is advantageous.  Knowledge on computational analysis of protein structures and/or solid expertise in cell culture work is advantageous.  Important is your passion in continuously acquiring knowledge and skills, your genuine interest in science and conducting research, being self-motivated, going the extra mile and being determined to succeed.  PhD students graduating from the Sattlegger lab have secured prestigious positions, such as postdoc positions at the highly reputed National Institutes of Health, USA, and at a Medical University in Sweden, or a Research & Development position at a large Biopharma Company.

Project description:  Health and wellbeing depends on the continuous finetuning of the many molecular processes happening in every cell and tissue of our body.  How does this fine-tuning work?  How is the fine-tuning adapted to the ever-changing environment and ever changing needs of the cell/body?  There are still so many unanswered questions.

We have obtained several lines of evidence that a yet unexplored regulatory axis plays a central role in ensuring cellular homeostasis, and that its derailment is the cause of various diseases and disorders, such as cancer, metabolic disorder, impaired immune system.  This project provides an exciting opportunity to generate new knowledge!  With this PhD project you will characterise this regulatory axis, using baker?s yeast and mammalian cell lines as model organisms.  This regulatory axis is evolutionary highly conserved.  Yeast is highly amenable to many techniques, allowing completion of the PhD project in a timely manner.  In addition, this provides you with a unique opportunity to develop skills in various disciples, such as Genetics, Biochemistry, Cell biology, Molecular Biology, Structural Biology.  Mammalian cell culture experiments will be used to test a selection of key findings, to validate the evolutionary conservation of this regulatory axis.

How to apply: If you are interested in a PhD scholarship, you must apply before February 2020.  Please email your CV and academic transcripts, the names and contact information of at least 2 academic references and a cover letter briefly outlining your skills and interests, to Associate Professor Evelyn Sattlegger, [email protected].  State in the subject line PhD2020WBS, and clearly state in your email the % or GPA achieved in undergraduate and postgraduate studies. 

For more information about the Sattlegger research group see here http://www.sattlegger-lab.webs.com/.  

Massey University is ranked in the top 300 Universities in the world, i.e. Massey University is amongst the top 1.3% Universities worldwide (QS ranking released 19/6/2019, see https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/massey-university)!  Massey University has world-leading staff; teaching and conducting research at the forefront of molecular biology. Our School of Natural & Computational Sciences offers degrees in a large number of majors, and has >80 PhD students https://tinyurl.com/y56ebal6.

Auckland is New Zealand's largest city, the world's largest Polynesian city, with a population of 2 million, and is one of the world's most multicultural cities. The Massey University Auckland campus, where this position will be based, is located on the North Shore, only a 15min drive away from Auckland, close to a number of beaches, with opportunities for outdoor recreation in easy reach.

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MSc thesis projects-  
Exploring new ways to fight Cancer.

This is a very exciting project for 1 or 2 students, in the area of basic biomedical research, aimed to find new ways to fight cancer.  You will characterise the dependence of cancer cells on a particular enzyme, and to what extent inhibition of this enzyme impacts on cancer hallmarks, such as proliferation, survival, migration.  Findings will help find new ways to fight cancer.

This project provides a unique opportunity for you to develop several skills, such as the culturing of mammalian cell lines, optimising and conducting various experiments on mammalian cells lines, western blotting, amongst others.

Requirements:  A BSc in Genetics, Molecular biology, Cell biology, or equivalent.  At least 75% (or at least a 2 in the German education system) achieved in your last year of BSc.  You need to have high attention to detail, have excellent organisational skills, and be patient when working with your cell lines.  Optimally, you already have experience with mammalian cell lines, however, most importantly you are passionate about science, and eager to learn.  Keep in mind that cell lines need to be taken care off regularly, meaning that sometimes they need to be fed one day in the weekend.  Optimally you will start in July, but before December.

This project can be customised for a 240 or 180 MSc, with research starting from the beginning, or for a MSc by thesis only.  A very talented BSc(hons) or PGDip student may apply, too.

MSc project identifier code: MSc-Cancer.  How to apply? see  below

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PGDip / BSc(Hons) / 
MSc thesis project
Experimental Evolution, Genetics, Molecular Biology

We have developed a new procedure to screen - via experimental evolution - for amino acids that are required for activating a particular enzyme.  You will modify this procedure, to develop a new procedure that will allow the improvement of protein function.  This procedure will be of interest to many researchers worldwide, hence there is the opportunity to publish these methods.

This project provides a unique opportunity for you to develop a large array of skills, such as molecular biology, gene engineering, genetics, random mutagenesis PCR, drug sensitivity tests, western blotting, amongst others.

Requirements:  A BSc in Genetics, Molecular biology, Cell biology, Microbiology, or equivalent.  Most importantly you are passionate about science, and eager to learn.  At least 75% (or at least a 2 in the German education system) achieved in your last year of BSc.    

MSc project identifier code: MSc-Evolution.  How to apply? see  below

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PGDip / BSc(Hons) / 
MSc thesis project
Genetics, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry

The protein kinase Gcn2 is involved in many biological functions, ranging from cell division, to memory formation and the immune system.  Accordingly Gcn2 must be tightly regulated, to ensure that it executes its correct function at the correct time and in the correct organ.  In fact, studies suggest that Gcn2 is highly regulated by other proteins, however not all proteins are known so far that regulate Gcn2.  You will use baker?s yeast as model for humans, to look for proteins that modulate Gcn2 function.  The knowledge generated by you will give insight into signal transduction, and is highly important for mammalian research, and thus worthwhile to publish and/or disseminate at a conference.

This project provides a unique opportunity for you to develop a large array of skills, such as molecular biology, yeast transformation, genetics, drug sensitivity tests, western blotting, PCR, if progressing well may also include gene engineering, primer design, or protein-protein interaction assays.

Requirements:  A BSc in Genetics, Molecular biology, Cell biology, Microbiology, or equivalent.  Most importantly you are passionate about science, and eager to learn.  At least 75% (or at least a 2 in the German education system) achieved in your last year of BSc.  

MSc project identifier code: MSc-Protein.  How to apply? see  below

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PGDip / BSc(Hons) / 
MSc thesis project
Genetics or Cell Biology or Molecular Biology

Just recently we have acquired a liquid handling robot, from Opentron,

which is one of the first of its kind in New Zealand!  Our group is pioneering its usage for plate growth assays.  You will be one of the first to optimise and use this robot, to screen yeast strains for drug sensitivity.  You will transform genes into yeast, and using the robot you will then determine how these genes affect the sensitivity of yeast to drugs.  

This project allows you to develop a large array of skills, ranging from working with yeast, Molecular/Cell biology, Genetics, Drug sensitivity tests, amongst others, and if interested Programming and Western blotting.

Requirements:  A BSc in Genetics, Molecular biology, Cell biology, Microbiology, or equivalent.  You are self-motivated and enjoy optimising procedures.  Programming skills (Python) are advantageous. Most importantly, you are passionate about science, and eager to learn.  At least 75% (or at least a 2 in the German education system) achieved in your last year of BSc.  

MSc project identifier code: MSc-Robot 

How to apply? see below

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PGDip / BSc(Hons) / 
MSc thesis project
Biochemistry

The protein kinase Gcn2 is involved in many biological functions, ranging from cell division, to memory formation and the immune system.  This underscores the need for tight regulation of Gcn2, to ensure that it executes its correct function at the correct time and in the correct organ.  In fact, studies suggest that Gcn2 is highly regulated by other proteins binding to Gcn2, however not all proteins are known so far that regulate Gcn2.  You will use baker?s yeast as model for humans, to look for protein-protein interactions, to determine whether and to what extend these interactions are important for modulating Gcn2 activity.  The knowledge you will generate will be highly important for mammalian research, and thus worthwhile to publish and/or disseminate at a conference.

This project provides a unique opportunity for you to develop a large array of skills, such as various protein-protein interaction assays, western blotting, determine kinase activity, molecular biology, genetics, drug sensitivity tests, if progressing well may also include gene engineering, primer design, PCR.

Requirements:  A BSc in Biochemistry, Genetics, Molecular biology, or equivalent.  Good knowledge in protein biochemistry desired, in particular hands-on experience with protein work.  Most importantly, you are passionate about science, and eager to learn.  At least 75% (or at least a 2 in the German education system) achieved in your last year of BSc.  

MSc project identifier code: MSc-Bch.  How to apply? see below

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How to apply for MSc, BSc(hons), PGDip

If you are interested in any of the postgraduate projects, email
- your CV
- academic transcripts
- state in your email body your GPA achieved in your degree,
   and your GPA achieved in your final year of BSc
- names of at least 2 academic references
- a cover letter outlining your motivation, to 

Associate Professor Evelyn Sattlegger,
Massey University Auckland,
[email protected]  

State in the subject line the project(s) you are interested in [the MSc identifier code(s)]. 
If interested to begin studies mid July (next intake), also state in the subject line JulyIntake
Otherwise, submit applications AFTER July 20, 2019.

No matter what your research project is, in the Sattlegger group research projects provide you with a unique opportunity to develop interdisciplinary skills from various disciplines, such as molecular biology, genetics, molecular genetics, gene engineering, cell biology, experimental evolution, microbiology, and/or protein biochemistry (protein-protein interactions, kinase assay, protein structure models).  Yeast biology, mammalian cell culture.  Also, if interested you will be given opportunities to develop skills for teaching students.  Together, this sets you up very well for your future career.  Postgraduate students tend to obtain jobs quickly after graduation, or secure PhD positions.

Massey University is ranked in the top 300 Universities in the world (QS ranking released 19/6/2019, see https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/massey-university)!  Massey University has world-leading staff; teaching and conducting research at the forefront of molecular biology. Our School of Natural & Computational Sciences offers degrees in a large number of majors, and has >80 PhD students. https://tinyurl.com/y56ebal6.   

Auckland is New Zealand's largest city, the world's largest Polynesian city, with a population of 2 million, and is one of the world's most multicultural cities. The Massey University Auckland campus, where this position will be based, is located on the North Shore, only a 15min drive away from Auckland, close to a number of beaches, with opportunities for outdoor recreation in easy reach.

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If your answer is yes, please email the Team leader a quick enquiry or email a complete application as outlined below.  For contact details follow the link to the Team leader (see menu bar).

A complete application for a PhD or postgraduate position contains a cover letter, a detailed CV, and copies of university certificates and transcripts.  The average marks of university degrees obtained - as well as the grading scheme if different to that of New Zealand -  must be is clearly documented either on the university certificates, or the CV.  We currently have available MSc, MPhil, BSc(Hons), or PGDip thesis projects.  Important: before you apply see the note below.

Interested in an internship for at least 4 months? Please email copies of university certificates and transcripts you have so far, your CV, and a covering letter.

Notes for PhD applicants:  Your MSc or BSc(hons) is above 80%, or you have a GPA of at least 7.5 out of 9.  International PhD students only pay domestic tuition fees (subject to change, for more see http://fees.massey.ac.nz/massey/international/postgraduate/tuition-fees/fees-policies.cfm).

Notes for MSc, MPhil, BSc, or PGDip applicants:  Please note that non-New-Zealand-citizens or non-New-Zealand-residents pay international tuition fees of about 30,000 NZ$ per year (subject to change) and non-tuition fees.  New Zealand scholarships do not cover these fees, and the group leader does not have funds to cover these fees.  For more about fees see http://fees.massey.ac.nz/massey/international/financial-information/cost-of-study/cost-of-study_home.cfm#Programme%20Tuition%20Fees