Expires on: 02/01/2024
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.
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).
Scholarship
This is an Earmarked scholarship project that aligns with a recently awarded Australian Government grant.
The scholarship includes:
- living stipend of $33,641 per annum tax free (2024 rate), indexed annually
- your tuition fees covered
- single overseas student health cover (OSHC).
Eligibility Criteria
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 June, 2024. You can start in an earlier research quarter.
- 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