What is the Genes to Geoscience Research Centre?

Genes to geoscience is a federation of independent labs. We think a fusion of disciplines is beginning among genomics, functional ecology, earth system science and palaeontology. The federation began at Macquarie University and is still centred there, but from 2011 strong labs at other universities are beginning to affiliate with us also.

To postgrad researchers

The most important consideration for people considering a PhD will be the quality of the lab they are joining. Macquarie has many world-leading research groups to choose from. But on top of that, Genes to Geoscience at Macquarie offers a broader and richer culture in which to be a postgrad. There is a program of intensive short-courses, which equip our PhD students for long-lasting research careers, and open up more innovative projects. There is a lively social life. There is financial support for your project and for building overseas connections.

In the 2010 ERA assessment ("Excellence in Research in Australia"), Macquarie scored a maximum 5 ("well above world standard") in eight fields of research that fall within Genes to Geoscience: 0406 Physical geography and environmental science, 0501 Ecological applications, 0602 Ecology, 0603 Evolutionary biology, 0604 Genetics, 0605 Microbiology, 0607 Plant biology, 0608 Zoology. Across biological and earth sciences Macquarie scored a higher proportion of 5's than any other university in Australia.  Now we want to build on these foundations, developing new research in the mixing zone among earth history, ecological function, and genomics. We aim to be one of the most interesting places in the world to do a PhD. Why not join us?

What we can offer to PhD students

Please get in touch if you are interested to discuss a PhD with us. If you are competitive for a scholarship, we encourage you to visit. We can arrange appropriate meetings for you, and possibly support travel.