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Climate Smart Sheep Production Project Scholarship

Project Scholarship: Developing practices for profitable, sustainable sheep production in a variable climate

This PhD scholarship will support a PhD student to develop on-farm strategies to improve sheep reproduction when exposed to heat stress.


Heat stress limits sheep reproduction and will have a larger influence as the climate warms, reducing production, profitability and animal welfare globally.

High-impact research will develop practical, cost-effective methods which can be adopted on Australian farms to improve reproductive outcomes for sheep (fertility, fecundity and/or lamb survival) when exposed to heat stress. Both nutritional and other management strategies are the intended focus for field and confined feeding studies in a 3.5 year PhD study.

To be eligible to receive the scholarship applicants must have:

  • Honours or Masters degree in a related field
  • Undergraduate, Masters or employment level experience in sheep production, nutrition, reproduction and/or physiology related to heat stress
  • Drivers licence, and can obtain an Australian licence
  • A genuine interest in sheep production
  • Some experience and the ability to physically handle sheep
  • Willingness to work outdoors in weather
  • Willingness to conduct field, pen and laboratory work
  • Willingness to understand extensive Australian sheep production systems
  • Willingness to communicate with farmers

Desirable attributes:

  • Sound understanding of Australian sheep production systems
  • Highly experienced in handling sheep
  • Experience in conducting research with sheep or goats

Stipend: This scholarship is valued at $35,000 per annum for a period of three and a half years full-time study, payable in fortnightly instalments.

Tuition Fees: Fee exemption for a period equivalent to four years (eight sessions) for PhD at full-time study.

Operating Funds: Scholarship candidates can access operating funds from the project.

The scholarship is tenable for three and a half years for Research Doctorate studies subject to satisfactory progress.

Scholarship candidates are entitled to 20 paid annual leave working days per year and 10 paid sick leave days per year, however are not eligible for paid primary parental care leave or additional personal leave.

This scholarship cannot be taken on a part-time basis.

How to apply

Applicants will need to apply for enrolment.

Prospective Higher Degree by Research candidates can apply for Climate Smart Sheep Production 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 Climate Smart Sheep Production Scholarship.

Application timelines

Applications will remain open until 1 January 2025.

Contact

For enquiries contact Dr Susan Robertson via email:  surobertson@csu.edu.au