The Gulbali Institute will be offering PhD scholarships for outstanding research scholarships commencing in Session 2 2025.
We are offering up to three teams of PhD students to be recruited into “Challenge” projects, which are addressing key elements of the Gulbali mission.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the respective “Challenge Program Lead” for specific information on each project.
Expressions of Interest are to be submitted initially using the online form.
International applications have now closed.
Domestic Students Expressions of Interest open now! Shortlisted candidates will be contacted in June 2025, with enrolments starting in August 2025.
Challenge Project 3:
Program Lead: Prof Michael Walsh michwalsh@csu.edu.au
Supervisor Panel Members: Prof Leslie Weston, Dr John Broster, Dr Guy Coleman, Dr Asad Asaduzzaman, Dr Remy Dehaan and Dr Shawn McGrath
Opportunities and requirements that ensure effective and ongoing use of novel weed control technologies in grain production systems.
PhD project: Defining the cropping system context for the development and introduction of site-specific weed control technologies
Background
The need for novel and innovative weed control techniques along with weed recognition capability is creating the opportunity for in-crop site specific control of weeds with alternative technologies. Sophisticated weed recognition capabilities are being rapidly developed enabling the detection of whole plants and plant parts (e.g. growing points) for subsequent targeting with weed control treatments. This capability is supporting research efforts on the development of novel weed control technologies, chemical and non-chemical, that are aimed at utilising site-specific weed targeting opportunities. The development of weed recognition and novel weed control technologies is currently occurring mostly without specific consideration of the weed control opportunities and needs of Australian large-scale cropping systems. To ensure the effective use of these technologies there is a need to identify and define the cropping system contexts in which novel weed control technologies can be effectively delivered for in-crop site-specific weed control.
PhD research:
- Identify opportunities for the use of site-specific novel weed control in specific crops and cropping situations of large-scale cropping.
- Evaluate alternative weed control techniques for their potential use in Australian large-scale cropping
- Define how best to incorporate novel weed control techniques into weed management programs
Campus location and place of work:
Wagga Wagga primarily with opportunities for extended visits to campuses at University of Western Australia, University of Copenhagen and Texas A&M
For more details:
Michael Walsh, E: michwalsh@csu.edu.au, M:0448847272
To be eligible to receive the scholarship, applicants must:
The scholarship provides the following benefits:
Stipend: This scholarship is valued at $35,000 annually, payable in fortnightly instalments. First Nations applicants will have a stipend valued at $50,000 per annum.
Tuition Fees: Domestic candidates: Fee exemption for a period equivalent to four years (eight sessions) for PhD at full-time study.
International candidates: Fee exemption for a period equivalent to three years (six sessions) for PhD at full-time study.
Operating Funds: Scholarship candidates are allocated an allowance to assist with reimbursing costs associated with a candidate’s research. The annual amount reflects CSU policy on whether the project is linked to specific fields or education codes, lab-based, non-lab-based, and/or First-Nations-focused.
Domestic candidates:
The scholarship is tenable for four years for Research Doctorate studies (4 years FTE tuition fee coverage, 3.5 years FTE for the stipend, and 3 years for operating funds allowances) subject to satisfactory progress.
An extension of up to six months may be granted (stipend and operating funds components only) where the candidate is making satisfactory progress and the grounds for the extension relate to the study and are beyond the candidate's control.
International candidates:
The scholarship is tenable for three years for Research Doctorate studies subject to satisfactory progress.
An extension of up to six months may be granted where the candidate is making satisfactory progress, and the grounds for the extension relate to the study and are beyond the candidate's control.
Scholarship candidates are entitled to 20 paid annual leave working days per year and 10 paid personal leave days per year; however, they are not eligible for paid primary parental care leave or additional personal leave.
A two-stage process will be undertaken. Initial Expressions of Interest where candidates will either respond to a specific project “pitch” or nominate their own project. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to apply for enrolment.
Shortlisted applicants will need to apply for enrolment.
Prospective Higher Degree by Research candidates can apply for a Gulbali Institute Scholarship when completing their Charles Sturt course admission application. When given the option to apply for a scholarship select 'Yes'; 'Full-time AGRTP' and 'Other'. Under 'Other' enter Gulbali Institute Scholarship Project <Name>.
Expressions of interest close July 2025.
Email gulbali@csu.edu.au for general questions or directly contact challenge project leads.
