Our laboratory works predominately on bees, not only the commercial honey bee (Apis mellifera) but also Asian bees (Apis cerana, Apis florea, Apis andreniformis, Apis dorsata) and Australian stingless bees (Trigona, Austroplebeia). Despite our focus on bees, we do have expertise in bumble bees (although this is not very helpful in mainland Australia!) ants and termites and encourage people to work on social insects other than bees. Our main research interests can be grouped into

(1) conflict and cooperation in insect societies,
(2) genetic basis of worker sterility,
(3) behavioural genetics,
(4) organization of insect societies.

We have a molecular laboratory well equipped for microsatellite analysis, genomic and PCR work, cloning, allozyme analysis and sequencing. We have several PCR machines and an Applied Biosystems 3130xl Genetic Analyser. We also have access to various equipment including real time PCR machines. Our strain of anarchistic bees provides a unique opportunity to study both reproductive conflicts as well as the genetic basis of worker sterility. The honey bees are kept at our apiary at the Hawkesbury campus of the University of Western Sydney, Richmond, at the Crommelin Research Station ('Warrah'), Pearl Beach and at our brand new bee house at Sydney University. Observation hives can be kept both at Sydney and Hawkesbury, whereas Warrah provides us with bush and tranquillity. We have good financial resources, and can arrange graduate degree stipends for motivated students who meet admission standards of the University. Applications for Scholarships close in October of each year. Check the University's Research Training Office. A limited number of Postdoctoral Fellowships are available from the University.