🎓Fully Funded PhD Scholarship: Smart Horticulture – Australia
🏥 About Western Sydney University
Applications are open for a Fully Funded PhD Smart Horticulture Australia position at Western Sydney University (WSU), Hawkesbury campus, where the National Vegetable Protected Cropping Centre and the School of Science are located. This PhD project focuses on improving energy, water, and nutrient efficiencies in high-tech greenhouse systems.
Location:Â Hawkesbury, NSW, Australia
Research Areas:Â Sustainable agriculture, environmental science, agricultural economics
🎯 Scholarship Overview
đź”— Research Project
Are you passionate about sustainable agriculture and innovative technologies? Join a dynamic, interdisciplinary research team at Western Sydney University to advance the future of smart horticulture.
This Fully Funded PhD Smart Horticulture Australia project focuses on improving energy, water, and nutrient efficiencies in high-tech greenhouse systems. Using quantitative metrics and techno-economic assessment, the research will evaluate how different management strategies influence energy consumption, crop productivity, and partial life cycle footprints.
The project aims to identify optimisation pathways for seasonal scheduling and crop selection, contributing to the operational, economic, and environmental sustainability of protected cropping systems aligned with Australia’s net-zero targets.
đź“‹ Key Research Activities
- Measuring seasonal resource use efficiency under varied operational regimes
- Applying Net Present Value (NPV), Levelised Cost of Energy (LCOE), and marginal productivity metrics to assess economic viability
- Conducting partial life cycle assessments focused on fertiliser and energy inputs
🔬 Research Environment
The successful candidate will work across:
- School of Science
- School of Business
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment
These are three hubs of research excellence in agriculture, climate innovation, and supply chain management. The project is part of Program 3 of the ARC Training Centre, which develops low input, low-carbon technologies and policies for a sustainable horticultural sector.
What the scholarship provides:
- Support for conference attendance
- Fieldwork and additional costs as approved by the Institute
âś… Eligibility Criteria
Required
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Education | Australian First Class Bachelor (Honours) degree, coursework Masters with at least 25% research component, Research Master’s degree, or equivalent overseas qualifications |
| Academic Background | Environmental science, sustainability, agricultural/environmental economics, or life cycle assessment (LCA) |
| Experience | Environmental impact modelling and familiarity with OpenLCA, SimaPro, or ecoinvent |
| Quantitative Analysis | Energy, water, or carbon footprint assessments |
| Programming | Proficiency in R, Python, or MATLAB |
| Interest | Climate-smart agriculture and willingness to conduct greenhouse experiments |
| Communication | Excellent written and verbal communication skills |
| Motivation | Enthusiasm to work in a multidisciplinary research team |
| Language | International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency |
Desirable
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Knowledge | Techno-economic modelling or cost-benefit analysis in agricultural or industrial systems |
| Experience | Handling multi-year or sensor-based environment datasets |
| Analysis | Uncertainty or sensitivity analysis |
đź’Ľ What They Offer
| Benefit | Domestic Candidates | International Candidates |
|---|---|---|
| Stipend | $37,000 AUD per annum tax-free | $37,000 AUD per annum |
| Duration | Up to 3 years | Up to 3 years |
| Tuition | RTP Fee Offset | Tuition fee waiver (for strong track record) |
| Health Cover | N/A | OSHC Single Policy |
| Conference Support | Yes | Yes |
| Fieldwork Support | Yes | Yes |
👨‍🏫 Lead Researcher
Assoc. Prof. Graciela Metternicht
📧 G.Metternicht@westernsydney.edu.au
đź“ť How to Apply
Step 1: Review the project’s eligibility criteria. Prepare a document explaining how you satisfy the criteria.
Step 2: Contact the lead researcher to discuss your eligibility, the project’s requirements, and your intention to apply. Request a letter of support.
Step 3: Submit an online application for the project by logging into the Online Portal and selecting ‘Project Scholarship’.
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