Project opportunity
This Earmarked Scholarship project is aligned with a recently awarded Category 1 research grant. It offers you the opportunity to work with leading researchers and contribute to large projects of national significance.
To improve water productivity (WP) in rice production, there needs to be a significant genetic improvement in cold and heat tolerance to improve yield stability and enable utilisation of water saving systems. Currently, the main limitation to the utilisation of intermittent (non-permanent water) irrigation production in the Riverina is inadequate cold tolerance. Furthermore, WP is optimised when intermittent irrigation provides sufficient water and subsequent N uptake to meet the crop requirement, and varieties which possess traits such as deep root system, cold and heat tolerance and high leaf photosynthesis/stomatal conductance are required. This rice pre-breeding project will combine physiology with genomics to gain an understanding of the genetic basis for traits contributing to adaptation to aerobic adaptation with the aim to developing genetic material for production of high yield with high grain quality in water saving systems.
Scholarship value
As a scholarship recipient, you'll receive:
- living stipend of $32,192 per annum tax free (2023 rate), indexed annually
- tuition fees covered
- single Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
Supervisor
School of Agriculture and Food Sciences
Email: jaquie.mitchell@uq.edu.au
Preferred educational background
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 rice physiology or molecular breeding would be of benefit to someone working on this project.
The applicant will demonstrate academic achievement in the field(s) of crop physiology, molecular breeding and the potential for scholastic success.
A background or knowledge of rice production is highly desirable.
Latest commencement date
If you are the successful candidate, you must commence by Research Quarter 4, 2024. You should apply at least 3 months prior to the research quarter commencement date.
If you are an international applicant, you may need to apply much earlier for visa requirements.
How to apply
You apply for this project as part of your PhD program application.