This project is closed.
Project summary
- Program
- PhD
- Location
- St Lucia
- Research area
- Agricultural, veterinary and food sciences
Project description
Durable net blotch resistance requires pyramiding of resistance genes in combinations within the same plant. Determining these optimal combinations is difficult, but in its simplest form can be tackled as a brute-force combinatorics problem informed by rigorous disease phenotyping. Digital-twin approaches using AI-based toolkits can help arrive at optimal mating strategies that maximise the combining effect of the most effective resistance genes. Understanding the role of epigenetic control for disease resistance is also important. The more extensive the catalogue of durable resistance genetics/epi-genetic at hand, the more likely gene combinations providing effective durable resistance can be obtained. The project will employ advanced techniques in crop quantitative genetics, plant pathology, genomic prediction, and computer simulations.
This PhD project aligns with the Grains Research and Development Corporation national barley net blotch disease consortium in partnership with industry partners and state pathologists in Australia.
Research environment
The University of Queensland is one of the highest ranked internationally in the field of Agriculture. With campuses at St Lucia (Brisbane) and Gatton as well as at Hermitage Research Station (Warwick), there are over 250 HDR students researching solutions for agricultural problems.
The successful candidate will join the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation as a PhD student. This offers access to an excellent research environment built on multidisciplinary collaboration. In this project, crop geneticists, plant breeders, and plant pathologists work together, along with four barley commercial companies, to tackle pressing challenges to improve genetic resistance.
The PhD student will have access to cutting-edge resources at QAAFI and UQ, including high-performance computer, advanced simulation and in-house algorithms, controlled environment growth facilities, and the opportunity to visit field nurseries and experimental sites across Australia.
In our group, we prioritize scientific rigour, innovative thinking, and your growth as a researcher. We encourage a collaborative spirit among team members and are committed to creating an inclusive, supportive research culture that values practical outcomes for agricultural production challenges alongside academic excellence.
Scholarship
This is an Fellowship support scheme scholarship project that aligns with a recently awarded Australian Government grant.
The scholarship includes:
- living stipend of $36,400 per annum tax free (2025 rate), indexed annually
- your tuition fees covered
- single overseas student health cover (OSHC).
Learn more about the Fellowship support scheme scholarship.
Supervisor
Principal supervisor
Preferred educational background
A working knowledge of plant pathology, quantitative genetics, plant breeding, and computer science would be of benefit to someone working on this project.
The applicant will demonstrate academic achievement in the field(s) of crop breeding and genetics and the potential for scholastic success.
A background or knowledge of plant pathology, quantitative genetics, and computer science is highly desirable.
How to apply
This project requires candidates to commence no later than Research Quarter 3, 2025. To allow time for your application to be processed, we recommend applying no later than 31 March, 2025 31 December, 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 Dr Eric Dinglasan (e.dinglasan@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.