Degree type
PhD
Closing date
1 June 2024
Campus
Hobart
Citizenship requirement
Domestic
About the research project
The microbiome of the soil has a vital role in ecosystem function and soil health through its abilities to decompose organic matter, cycle nutrients and influence plant growth and disease. Some of these processes have a role in increasing agricultural productivity whilst minimizing the use of synthetic inputs and reducing the impacts of agriculture on the long-term sustainability of the ecosystem.
Carbon turnover and sequestration are largely microbially mediated. The microorganisms involved also have a wide range of other roles in the soil ecosystem that are important for the long-term productivity of agricultural soils. However, little is known about these microbial communities and their relationships to soil properties. This makes it difficult to predict the effects of climate change such as soil warming and extreme weather events on soil health. The current proposal aims to determine whether land management practices that increase soil carbon also improve other important functions such as phosphate solubilization, nitrogen cycling, plant growth promotion and disease suppression.
This information will be useful in two ways: (ii) it will provide evidence of whether it is possible to detect soil processes associated with 'healthy soil' using an electronic nose. This will support the existing project "Microbes against climate change" which is exploring whether electronic nose technology can detect differences in soil carbon found in agricultural soils subject to varying land management practices. (ii) it will provide information about the links between soil microbial processes and land management practices. In the long-term this will lead to improvements in the sustainable use and resilience of Australian agricultural soils.
Primary Supervisor
Meet Dr Shane PowellFunding
Applicants will be considered for a Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship or Tasmania Graduate Research Scholarship (TGRS) which, if successful, provides:
- a living allowance stipend of $32,192 per annum (2024 rate, indexed annually) for 3.5 years
- a relocation allowance of up to $2,000
- a tuition fees offset covering the cost of tuition fees for up to four years (domestic applicants only)
If successful, international applicants will receive a University of Tasmania Fees Offset for up to four years.
As part of the application process you may indicate if you do not wish to be considered for scholarship funding.
Other funding opportunities and fees
For further information regarding other scholarships on offer, and the various fees of undertaking a research degree, please visit our Scholarships and fees on research degrees page.
Eligibility
Applicants should review the Higher Degree by Research minimum entry requirements.
Ensure your eligibility for the scholarship round by referring to our Key Dates.
Additional eligibility criteria specific to this project/scholarship:
- Applicants must be able to undertake the project on-campus
Selection Criteria
The project is competitively assessed and awarded. Selection is based on academic merit and suitability to the project as determined by the College.
Additional essential selection criteria specific to this project:
- Relevant undergraduate science degree for example agricultural science or microbiology
- Knowledge of microbiology including experience with aseptic techniques
- Experience in basic molecular biology methods such as DNA extraction and PCR
- Commitment to good laboratory practices
Additional desirable selection criteria specific to this project:
- Drivers licence or ability to obtain one
- Knowledge of the soil environment, particularly biological communities
Application process
- Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
- Contact Dr Shane Powell to discuss your suitability and the project's requirements; and
- In your application:
- Copy and paste the title of the project from this advertisement into your application. If you don’t correctly do this your application may be rejected.
- Submit a signed supervisory support form, a CV including contact details of 2 referees and your project research proposal.
- Apply prior to 1 June 2024.
Full details of the application process can be found under the 'How to apply' section of the Research Degrees website.
Following the closing date applications will be assessed within the College. Applicants should expect to receive notification of the outcome by email by the advertised outcome date.
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