Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research

Project

Two students

The Landcare Research fungal systematics group maintains the largest collections of both dried and living fungi in New Zealand, and delivers data associated with the collections through the NZFungi website. The successful applicants (X2) will provide assistance adding data to the fungal database, and maintaining, tracking, and storing fungal specimens and cultures and associated DNA sequence data.

Skills gained

You will gain an understanding of the day to day running of a mycological research laboratory. Key techniques you will learn include the handling of fungal cultures, data capture and management and microscopy. In addition, you will be expected to assist with an ongoing project on myrtle rust in the mycology labs at Manaaki Whenua-Landcare Research, Tamaki. These could potentially involve culturing and identification of fungi from field samples, analysis of DNA data, etc.

Requirements

Attention to detail, ability to keyboard accurately, a general interest in fungi, bacteriology or plant pathology.

Project

Two students

Work with taxonomists on the diversity of terrestrial insect species in New Zealand and the Pacific.

Skills gained

You will learn research and technical skills to work with a taxonomic collection or in a natural science museum, including:

1. Fieldwork and sorting field samples
2. Curation and identification of insect groups
3. Imaging specimens for machine learning / AI methods
4. Databasing and geo-referencing specimens for biodiversity and biosecurity research projects

Requirements

Ability to work in a group or independently, position requires dexterity, care and attention to detail, data entry.

Ideal students

Applicants should have an interest in Entomology, Taxonomy, Natural History.