Project summary
The project focuses on the liver fluke parasite Fasciola and its intermediate host, the freshwater snail Austropeplea tomentosa, which are major contributors to fascioliasis, a zoonotic disease causing significant economic losses and impacting animal welfare globally. The core objective of this research is to identify and characterize aquatic semiochemical attractants that drive host-finding behaviors in parasites and snails.
Using this knowledge, the project will develop species-specific attractant traps to minimise parasite-snail interactions, reduce reinfection rates in primary hosts, and mitigate drug resistance. This novel approach has the potential to revolutionise parasite management strategies and provide an innovative solution for controlling other helminth-related diseases in livestock.
Applications close
10 April 2026 11:55pm
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The opportunity
Under a collaborative inter-institutional agreement, the PhD student will be based at UniSC, with opportunities to collaborate with La Trobe University and the University of Melbourne. Initial proteomics work and data analysis will be completed at the primary institution, with behavioural experiments and fieldwork conducted primarily at the partner institution. Additional opportunities for lab-based biochemical experiments may arise depending on project outcomes, student interests, and funding availability.
Key project aims
- Secretome analysis: Identify and characterise peptides and proteins from the freshwater snail egg mass that act as pheromones or kairomones.
- Behavioral assays: Conduct assays to evaluate the effects of these compounds on parasite (miracidia) and snail behaviour, pinpointing specific semiochemicals.
- Trap development: Design, test, and evaluate species-specific attractant traps for parasites and snails as a sustainable parasite management strategy.
Ideal candidate
We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate with a strong interest in aquatic animal behaviour, particularly olfactory communication and the host-finding behaviour of helminth parasites. The ideal candidate will be passionate about blending basic scientific research with practical, real-world applications that benefit communities.
They should be eager to build expertise in community collaboration with diverse stakeholder groups, and in advanced ‘omics’ approaches such as proteomics and transcriptomics. An enthusiasm for animal video capture and behavioural analysis is essential, along with a curiosity for understanding how biological systems respond to environmental stimuli and a drive to bridge the gap between organismal biology and individual behavioural responses.
Inclusions and eligibility
- Stipend of $38,000 per annum, paid in fortnightly instalments (tax-free for full-time students)
- Tuition offset scholarship of $28,000 per annum
- Relocation allowance of $2,000 (per scholarship conditions)
- Support for 3 years to align with thesis submission (possible extension in line with relevant policies and procedures)
- Domestic applicant status required – Australian or New Zealand citizen, or Australian permanent resident
- Preferred candidates will be invited to apply for the PhD program at UniSC and must meet entry requirements to be formally offered the scholarship
For more information
Contact Associate Professor Tianfang Wang at twang@usc.edu.au.