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Investigating training population designs to enhance genomic prediction accuracy

This project is closed.

Project summary

Program
PhD
Location
St Lucia
Research area
Agricultural, veterinary and food sciences, Biological sciences, Mathematical sciences

Project description

Using genotype and phenotype data for flowering and branching traits, you will measure for a large Arabidopsis Nested Association Mapping experiment.

Opportunities to jointly optimise training population designs and genomic prediction models will be investigated for the potential to enhance within and between cross genomic prediction accuracy. 

Research environment

This PhD project is part of the ARC Training Centre in Predictive Breeding, led by UQ.

You will be based at UQ's St Lucia campus and will work closely with industry partners BASF and ICRISAT. 

Scholarship

This project is supported by the Research project scholarship.

This scholarship includes:

  • living stipend of $37,500 per annum tax free (2026 rate), indexed annually
  • tuition fees covered.

This scholarship includes:

  • living stipend of $37,500 per annum tax free (2026 rate), indexed annually
  • tuition fees covered
  • single Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).

Learn more about the Research project scholarship.

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 genomic prediction methodology for plant breeding, and coding capabilities for Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood mixed-model analysis would be of benefit to someone working on this project.

You will demonstrate academic achievement in the field(s) of quantitative genetics and plant breeding and the potential for scholastic success.

A background or knowledge of machine learning methods, statistical analysis in R, and high performance computing is highly desirable.

How to apply

You must submit an expression of interest (EOI) by 15 April, 2026 15 April, 2026.

Before you apply

  1. Check your eligibility for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
  2. Prepare your documentation.
  3. If you have any questions about whether the project is suitable for your research interests, contact Professor Mark Cooper (mark.cooper@uq.edu.au).

When you apply

To apply, submit an expression of interest (EOI) for the program. You don't need to apply separately for the project or scholarship. How to submit an EOI

In your EOI, complete the ‘Scholarship/Sponsorship’ section with the following details:

  1. Are you applying for an advertised project: 'Yes'
  2. Project: 'Research project scholarship'
  3. Scholarship Code Listed in the Advertisement: GENOMIC-COOPER
  4. Link to Scholarship Advertisement: https://study.uq.edu.au/study-options/phd-mphil-professional-doctorate/projects/investigating-training-population-designs-enhance-genomic-prediction-accuracy

Submit an EOI

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