Project summary
- Program
- PhD
- Location
- Gatton
- Research area
- Agricultural, veterinary and food sciences, Environmental sciences
Project description
Weeds pose the most significant biological challenge for Australian grain growers, resulting in annual costs exceeding $3.3 billion. Specifically, in the northern grain region of Australia, particularly Queensland, the emergence of prickly lettuce as a troublesome weed species demands immediate attention. Addressing this issue requires the creation of integrated weed management strategies tailored to effectively control this species. However, the development of such strategies hinges upon a comprehensive understanding of the biology and ecology of prickly lettuce, which is currently lacking, especially concerning the weed populations in the northern region. This project aims to bridge this knowledge gap by conducting a thorough study of the biology and ecology of prickly lettuce. Subsequently, it will leverage this information to devise integrated management options specifically designed to tackle this pervasive weed.
Research environment
The chosen candidate will be joining Professor Chauhan's Weed Research program, which currently comprises one Research Fellow and four MSc scholars. He has 20 years of experience in weed research and published >400 articles. Dr. Shane Campbell will co-supervise the candidate throughout the project. Shane’s research group currently comprises four PhD students and he is co-supervisor of another three. He has 30 years’ experience in weed research and for 17 of these he was also the Officer in Charge of the Tropical Weeds Research Centre for the Queensland government. This scholarship aligns with a project funded by the GRDC (Grains Research and Development Corporation). QAAFI (Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation) will facilitate the candidate by providing office desk space, laboratory facilities, and access to shade houses at Gatton. Emphasis will be placed on encouraging the candidate's active participation in various project-related activities, including project meetings, seminars, project planning sessions, farmers' updates, and regular interactions with fellow students. Notably, QAAFI students are eligible for conference travel awards, offering additional opportunities for professional development. Moreover, the candidate will have the chance to venture into growers' fields periodically alongside the project team. This hands-on experience will involve engaging with growers and consultants, allowing for practical exposure and interaction within the agricultural community.
Scholarship
This is an Earmarked scholarship project that aligns with a recently awarded Australian Government grant.
The scholarship includes:
- living stipend of $35,000 per annum tax free (2024 rate), indexed annually
- your tuition fees covered
- single overseas student health cover (OSHC).
Learn more about the Earmarked scholarship.
Supervisor
Principal supervisor
You must contact the principal supervisor for this project to discuss your interest. You should only complete the online application after you have reached agreement on supervision.
Always make sure you are approaching your potential supervisor in a professional way. We have provided some guidelines for you on how to contact a supervisor.
Preferred educational background
Your application will be assessed on a competitive basis.
We take into account your:
- previous academic record
- publication record
- honours and awards
- employment history.
A working knowledge of weed science, plant biology or agronomy would be of benefit to someone working on this project.
A background or knowledge of plant biology/ecology and ideally weed science is highly desirable.
How to apply
This project requires candidates to commence no later than Research Quarter 1, 2025. To allow time for your application to be processed, we recommend applying no later than 30 September, 2024 30 June, 2024.
You can start in an earlier research quarter. See application dates.
Before you apply
- Check your eligibility for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
- Prepare your documentation.
- Contact Professor Bhagirath Chauhan (b.chauhan@uq.edu.au) to discuss your interest and suitability.
When you apply
You apply for this scholarship when you submit an application for a PhD. You don’t need to submit a separate scholarship application.
In your application ensure that under the ‘Scholarships and collaborative study’ section you select:
- My higher degree is not collaborative
- I am applying for, or have been awarded a scholarship or sponsorship
- UQ Earmarked Scholarship type.