Other M.S. or Ph.D. positions may be available; please contact individual faculty or Dr. Paul Collodi, the graduate committee chairman.

Ph.D. Position in Signal Transduction in Muscle Contraction
Immediate opening for a Ph.D. student to study the role of troponin C in solid phase (intra- and inter-protein) signal transduction in skeletal muscle. In this funded project, the role of specific domains of troponin C in activation of contraction in relation to health and disease are investigated. Methods used include protein engineering, FRET, high-resolution fluorescence digital microscopy, image analysis and modeling. The position requires a BS in Biological Sciences or related field. The ability to learn and develop new techniques and good verbal and written communication skills are strongly desired. Purdue is an equal access/equal opportunity university. For further information contact Dr. Darl Ray Swartz, Purdue University, Dept. of Animal Sciences, 901 W. State Street, W. Lafayette, IN 47907, (765) 494-8282 or email drswartz@purdue.edu.

Ph.D. Position in the Biophysics of Muscle as a Food
In this funded project, we study the mechanism of myosin release from the myofilament lattice in reference to extraction of this muscle-foods functional protein. We characterize the influence of salt and polyphosphates on the dissociation rate of the myosin motor domain from actin by kinetic methods. The dissociation rate of myosin from thick filaments is measured using FRET while its dissociation from thick filaments in myofibrils is measured using high-resolution fluorescence digital microscopy and image analysis. These studies address the fundamental mechanism of release of myosin from its in situ structure and will be further developed to investigate ante- and post-mortem factors that influence the functionality of muscle as a food. The position requires a BS in Biological Sciences or related field. The ability to learn and develop new techniques and good verbal and written communication skills are strongly desired. Purdue is an equal access/equal opportunity university. For further information contact Dr. Darl Ray Swartz, Purdue University, Dept. of Animal Sciences, 901 W. State Street, W. Lafayette, IN 47907, (765) 494-8282 or email drswartz@purdue.edu.

Ph.D. Position in the Biophysics of Muscle as a Food
In this funded project, we will determine the biophysical mechanism by which cooked muscle, at short sarcomere lengths, becomes tough. Structural methods will be used to determine the sarcomere length followed by mechanical measures of single fiber yield strength of the cooked fibers. A BS in Biological, Animal, Food or Physical Sciences is required in addition to strong verbal and written communication skills. Purdue is an equal access/equal opportunity university. For further information contact Dr. Darl Ray Swartz, Purdue University, Dept. of Animal Sciences, 901 W. State Street, W. Lafayette, IN 47907, (765) 494-8282 or email drswartz@purdue.edu.

M.S. or Ph.D. Position in Dairy Cattle Nutrient Management
A graduate research assistant position is available for a highly motivated student seeking to learn about the field of dairy cattle nutrient management. One position is available and is open immediately. The successful applicant will become engaged in research focusing on water usage and management, nutrient flows on dairy operations, and whole farm nutrient balances. A B.S. in Animal Sciences, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, or related field is required in addition to strong written and verbal communication skills. Purdue is an equal access/equal opportunity university. For further information contact Dr. Tamilee Nennich, Purdue University, Dept. of Animal Sciences, 915 W. State Street, W. Lafayette, IN 47907, (765) 494-4823 or email tnennich@purdue.edu.

M.S. or Ph.D. Position in Dairy Cattle Management
A graduate research assistant position is available for a highly motivated student in dairy cattle management. The successful applicant will become engaged in multidisciplinary research focusing on optimal utilization of animal disease intervention technologies and precision farming practices on modern US dairy farms. An understanding of dairy production and a B.S. in Animal Sciences, Agricultural Economics, or a related field is required in addition to strong written and verbal communication skills. Purdue is an equal access/equal opportunity university. For further information contact Dr. Mike Schutz, Purdue University, Dept. of Animal Sciences, 125 South Russell St. #105, W. Lafayette, IN 47907, (765) 494-9478 or email mschutz@purdue.edu.