Effects of organic and metabolic inputs to sustainably improve hort productivity

About the project

The ARC Training Centre for Smart & Sustainable Horticulture is offering a research scholarship to a highly motivated PhD candidate to work within a research group sustainably increase horticulture productivity using organic and metabolic inputs at the Hawkesbury Campus of Western Sydney University.

This project is part of the ARC Training Centre for Smart & Sustainable Horticulture collaboration between industry and research institutions to develop new approaches for the horticulture industry. The project will contribute to the education and training of students and personnel for the sustainable horticulture industry.

The project seeks to identify and measure key microbial attributes of liquid biofertilizer, to identify key capabilities and barriers in soil health promotion and restoration, and observe and measure various field-tested fruit, vegetable and grain plants crop nutritional density and health attributes.

The project is supported by Swift Grow Ltd and in collaboration with Western Sydney University (WSU), and the ARC Training Centre for Smart & Sustainable Horticulture (TC-SaSH). The project is led by Professor Brajesh Singh, and a team of soil biologists at the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment (HIE), a research institute within WSU. HIE has rapidly become a research leader in plant environmental and ecological research, with a strong reputation for delivering research outcomes of the highest quality.

What does the scholarship provide?

• Domestic candidates will receive a tax-free stipend of $37,000 (AUD) per annum for up to 3 years to support living costs, supported by the Research Training Program (RTP) Fee Offset.
• International candidates will receive a tax-free stipend of $37,000 (AUD) per annum for up to 3 years to support living costs.  Those with a strong track record will be eligible for a tuition fee waiver and an Overseas Student Health Care (OSHC) Single Policy
• Support for conference attendance, fieldwork and additional costs as approved by the Institute and Centre.

Eligibility criteria

We welcome applicants from a range of backgrounds, who are keen to apply their skills to key issues in soil health and horticulture productivity.  In particular, the project is suitable for candidates with strong interests in soil, plant and microbial science and in metagenomics and statistical modelling.

The successful applicant should:

• hold qualifications and experience equal to one of the following (i) an Australian First Class Bachelor (Honours) degree, (ii) coursework Masters with at least 25% research component, (iii) Research Master’s degree, or (iv) equivalent overseas qualifications.
• demonstrate strong academic performance in subjects relevant to soil, microbe, plant or agriculture.
• Demonstrated experience with advanced statistical methods and large data-set analysis intelligence along with ability to write scientific papers is essential.
• Experience in setting up glasshouse and field experiments, soil and plant sample collection and molecular microbial, and soil characteristics analysis.
• Be willing to learn new statistical modelling, omics techniques applicable to soil, microbes and plant science.
• Be enthusiastic and highly motivated to undertake further study at an advanced level.
• ve good communication skills and be creative.

International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency

How to apply

1. Review the project’s eligibility criteria. You will need to provide in your application a document which explains how you satisfy the projects eligibility criteria.
2. Contact the lead researcher listed to discuss your eligibility, the project’s requirements and your intention to apply. You should email them to introduce yourself, describe your qualifications and experience, and express your interest in their research project. If they are interested, you may want to arrange a phone call, video call or meeting to discuss your application. You will need to request a letter of support from the lead researcher to support your application for the scholarship.
3. Submit an online application for the project by logging into the Online Portal and selecting ‘Project Scholarship’. Note: You do not need to submit an application for Doctor of Philosophy or Research Scholarship.

Incomplete applications or applications that do not conform to the above requirements will not be considered.

For questions and advice about the research project, please contact the Lead Researcher; Distinguished Professor Brajesh Singh:  B.Singh@westernsydney.edu.au

For questions and advice about the scholarship application process, please submit your scholarship enquiry:

• Currently enrolled WSU HDR candidate, please submit your enquiry here
• Not currently enrolled WSU HDR candidate, please submit your enquiry here

Applications close 31 August 2025*

*Applications close at 11.59pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT).

Find out more and apply.