PhD Scholarship: Pollination biology of tropical tree crops

About the opportunity

We are currently looking for a PhD candidate to investigate the pollination requirements of avocado, lychee and/or mango trees. The primary focus of this role is to use DNA markers to analyse the pollen parentage of fruit, and to establish the effects of pollen parentage on fruit quality. This project includes a mixture of field and laboratory studies. Success in this role requires collaboration with postdoctoral researchers, technicians, farmers, and collaborators at other research organisations including Plant and Food Research (New Zealand).

About us

The research will be undertaken within the Food Futures research team in the Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security at Griffith University. The team has extensive expertise in the pollination biology of a range of crops including avocado, lychee, mango, macadamia, almond and strawberry. The project is a collaboration with Plant and Food Research (New Zealand), Western Sydney University, and the University of New England, with funding from Horticulture Innovation Australia.

The successful applicant will be based at the Nathan campus in Brisbane.

About you

The selection of applicants for the award of higher degree research scholarships at Griffith University involves consideration of your academic merit and research background. To be successful within this role, you will need to harvest fruit and collect scientific data in orchards, assess fruit quality in the field and laboratory, extract DNA in the laboratory, assign paternity to individual fruit, statistically analyse data, and prepare your results for scientific publication. You will have evidence of a passion for pollination biology, horticultural science and/or food production, with a strong desire to communicate your results to scientific audiences and farmers.

• Expressions of interest are welcome from domestic and international applicants.
• Applicants must have completed, or expect to complete, a bachelors degree with honours equivalent to first class honours or a Masters degree (AQF Level 9) incorporating a significant research component of a standard comparable to a bachelor honours degree or be regarded by Griffith University as having an equivalent level of attainment in accordance with Schedule One of the HDR Scholarship Policy . For further information on the eligibility requirements for the program refer here .

International applicants should ensure that English Language Proficiency requirements for the program are met before formally applying. Applicants to research programs will need to show they meet:

A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on the IELTS (Academic) with no band score less than 6.0

OR a minimum score of 575 on the paper-based TOEFL including a score of no less than 5.0 on the TWE

OR a score of 79 on the internet-based (iBT) TOEFL with no sub-score less than 19

About the scholarship

The 2022 Griffith University Postgraduate Research Scholarship has an annual stipend of $28,854 (indexed) for a period of up to three years of full-time study. Please see the GUPRS Conditions of Award  for more information.

A successful International applicant will also be awarded a Griffith University International Postgraduate Research Scholarship to cover tuition fees for up to three years. Please see the GUIPRS Conditions of Award  for more information.

EoI process

Please do not select the “APPLY” button. All expressions of interest must be submitted tos.trueman@griffith.edu.au  containing:

• Statement addressing your suitability for the project/scholarship
• Research proposal
• Evidence that you have completed a program with the required grades as detailed in the about you section
• A curriculum vitae (CV)
• Names of two referees

The closing date for expressions of interest is: 5:00pm AEST 14 November 2022.

The preferred applicant will then be invited to apply for the program and scholarship on-line

What Griffith offers

As a scholarship holder, you will study with a University that ranks among the top 2% worldwide and spans across campuses in South East Queensland. At Griffith University, we’ve worked hard to create a culture that will challenge you to be curious, creative and courageous. We also support the professional and personal development of all our HDR candidates and invest in the skills of our people. Griffith University values diversity, inclusion and flexibility and we encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and people of all backgrounds to apply. Griffith’s strategic goals are to also increase the proportion of women in senior academic and administrative roles and in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM).

Further information

For project related enquiries please contact:

Professor Stephen Trueman

Email: s.trueman@griffith.edu.au

For administration enquiries please contact:

Griffith Graduate Research School

Phone: (07) 3735 3817

Email: hdr-scholarship@griffith.edu.au