Pollination biology of tropical tree crops

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.

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

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.

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).

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