Gippsland - PhD and HDR (Industry) scholarships
Federation University is seeking a PhD candidate for a fully-funded project co-designed and co-supervised by local industry partners and leading academics at Federation University. The Project will be supported by the Morwell Innovation Centre.
The successful applicant will be based at Federation University’s Gippsland Campus at Churchill and work with the Morwell Innovation Centre. They will receive a scholarship of $30,000 per calendar year (for three years only) in partnership with Federation University and Destination Australia.
Successful applicants will also have the opportunity to participate in an industry-based internship.
Applications are now open and will close Wednesday 31st May 2023.
Current project opportunities
This opportunity is open to suitably qualified people with relevant academic qualifications and demonstrated fundamental technical knowledge (e.g., community engagement, soils testing, robotics engineering, etc.) relevant to the application domain of the project.
Specific skills and interests relevant for the project are listed below.
Please direct any questions regarding the project to the first listed supervisor in the project description.
PhD: Social licence and community engagement for renewable energy enterprises in Gippsland
Supported by
- Gippsland Climate Change Network (TBC)
- Morwell Innovation Centre, Future Regions Research Centre, Federation University Australia
Our society has a growing expectation that businesses – and business leaders – should take a more active role in leading positive change. To do this, business need to actively engaging with stakeholders. Working with leading renewable energy enterprises in Gippsland, this PhD project will explore how the Gippsland community can best be involved with, and contribute to, a thriving renewable energy sector in the region.
Student profile
Applicants should meet Federation University entry requirements, with an undergraduate degree in social science, environmental science, business, data science or a related discipline. An equivalent combination of working in relevant industry, study and previous research experience can also be considered.
Supervisory team
Federation supervisors: Dr Jess Reeves
Industry supervisor: Darren McCubbin
PhD: Leadership and knowledge transfer between Traditional Owner groups and land management practitioners
Supported by
- GHD and GLaWAC
- Morwell Innovation Centre, Future Regions Research Centre, Federation University Australia
Working closely with Traditional Owner groups in Gippsland, this PhD project will explore effective, respectful and culturally appropriate ways to connect Traditional Knowledge holders with land management practitioners, with the intention to build capacity and capability in Indigenous land management methods in the Gippsland region and to identify pathways for Traditional Owner groups to participate more fully in future land management decisions in the region, for example in the context of mine site rehabilitation and land restoration in the Latrobe Valley.
Student profile
Applicants should meet Federation University entry requirements, with an undergraduate degree in Indigenous studies, cultural heritage, environmental science, or a related discipline. An equivalent combination of working in a relevant industry, study and previous research experience, or acknowledged Traditional knowledge will also be considered. Indigenous candidates or students able to demonstrate a high level of cultural awareness are strongly preferred.
Supervisory team
Federation dupervisors: Dr Jess Reeves
Industry supervisor: Patrick Maiden, Daniel Miller
Masters by research: Living organic fertiliser
Supported by
OPAL and Mainstream Aquaculture are developing the world’s largest land based barramundi aquaculture facility, to be located adjacent to the Maryvale pulp and paper mill (in Latrobe Valley). This project will explore the potential of by-products from the fish farm farm as living fertiliser, and whether there is potential to build a pathway to a circular economy by integrating aquaculture by-products with waste streams from other local industries, including e.g. compost from the pulp and paper mill or from agriculture.
Objectives
This Masters by Research project will specifically address the following objectives.
- Chemical characterisation of by-products from fish farm and exploration of application to e.g. soils as fertiliser
- Assessment of waste streams of other industries for incorporation into by-product development and refinement
- Technical and economical quantification and upscaling as part of a circular economy approach
Student profile
Applicants should meet Federation University entry requirements, with an undergraduate degree in process/chemical/environmental engineering, biology or a related discipline. An equivalent combination of working in relevant industry, study and previous research experience can also be considered.
Supervisory team
Federation supervisors: Prof Thomas Baumgartl
Industry supervisor: Craig Bosch
Masters by research: Improving the quality of wood pellets by incorporating renewable by products
Supported by
- Renewable Wood Pellets
- Morwell Innovation Centre, Future Regions Research Centre, Federation University Australia
Aim and objectives
The aim of this Masters by research project is to investigate manufacturing improvements to the quality and value of wood pellets by incorporating other renewable by-products.
The project will specifically address the following objectives.
- Evaluate a range of pulp industry by-products to investigate the potential benefits of blending with sawdusts before and after their pelletisation.
- Determine if the controlled use of these additives can tailor key commercial parameters including pellet density, strength, moisture resistance and calorific value.
Student profile
Applicants should meet Federation University entry requirements, with an undergraduate degree in agriculture, science, engineering or a related discipline. An equivalent combination of working in a relevant industry, study and previous research experience can also be considered.
Supervisory team
Federation supervisors: Assoc/Prof Vince Verheyan, Dr Alicia Reynolds
Industry supervisor: Paul Griffin
PhD: Robotics for crop harvest and farm automation
Supported by
The utilization of robotics and its associated algorithms improves the efficiency, functionality, intelligence, and remote interactivity of harvesting in complex agricultural environments. Machine vision and its associated emerging technology promise huge potential in advanced agricultural applications. However, machine vision and its precise positioning still have many technical difficulties, making it difficult for most harvesting robots to achieve true commercial applications. This research project will be investigating robotic technologies and algorithm for crop harvesting at Bulmer Farms and automation of agricultural operations to improve efficiencies.
Aims and objectives
Appreciate farm robotic technologies to improve the efficiencies and growth, in farming in the Bulmer Farms, Victoria.
The project will specifically address the following objectives.
- Investigation and identification of robotic crop harvesting techniques
- Development of robotics and associated algorithms for automation of agricultural operations
Student profile
Applicants must have an undergraduate degree (preferably 1st Class Hons or MSc/ MPhill) in Mechatronics or Robotics Engineering, or a related discipline and appropriate English Language qualifications. An equivalent combination of working in a relevant industry, study and previous research experience will be an added qualification.
Supervisory team
Federation Supervisors: Dr Gayan Appuhamillage, Prof Joarder Kamruzzaman, Dr Linh Nguyen
Industry supervisor: Alexandra Keith
Students are expected to get involved with fieldwork in Bulmer Farms and conduct lab-based research at the Institute of Innovation, Science and Sustainability in Federation University, Gippsland Campus, VIC.
PhD: The contribution of agchar on biophysical functions and properties for the benefit of improving the quality and resilience of agricultural soils
Supported by
- Environmental Clean Technologies
- Morwell Innovation Centre, Future Regions Research Centre, Federation University Australia
- Application of agchar to soils for the improvement of soil quality and assessment by in-situ and laboratory tests
- Measure the potential of agchar to encourage capture of CO2 through improved growth conditions
- Quantify the persistence of agchar in soils through accelerated tests in microcosms
Australian agricultural land is depleted of soil carbon and faces challenges of caused by drought. Replenishment with supplemental biochar can aid in rebuilding carbon in soils, and is also able to ‘prime the pump’ of the soil’s ability to absorb more atmospheric carbon. This project aims to quantify that relationship, evaluate the mechanisms and seek means to accelerate atmospheric absorption.
Aim and objectives
Aim of the project is to develop suitable cases of agchar application to soils for the purpose to improve their quality, their productivity and resilience against natural hazards like drought.
The project will specifically address the following objectives.
Student profile
Applicants must have an undergraduate degree in environmental science/chemistry, agriculture, soil science or a related discipline. An equivalent combination of working in relevant industry, study and previous research experience can also be considered.
Supervisory team
Federation supervisors: Prof Thomas Baumgartl, Dr Alicia Reynolds
Industry supervisor: Ashley Moore
Scholarship details
Scholarship amount: $30,000 per annum* (for 3 years only), co-funded by Federation University and Destination Australia Scholarship program.
Fees: Up to $32,000 per annum covered by a Research Training Program Fee-Offset Scholarships (domestic students).
Applications are now open.
Eligibility
Scholarship applicants must be eligible to undertake a PhD. Applicants must verify that they meet the eligibility requirements outlined on the Graduate Research School website before they apply.
If you are making a case for Honours equivalence, in order to demonstrate your eligibility, please ensure that you provide detailed information to support your case.
Applications are open to Australian citizens and permanent residents.
Conditions
- Students are expected to commit to full-time study for the duration of their candidature.
- Scholarships are for a period of three years and extension to scholarships will not be granted.
- Successful scholarship applicants must reside in or relocate to the Gippsland region and study on campus and on location with their industry partner.
- Successful scholarship applicants may have the opportunity to participate in an internship period.
- Successful scholarship applicants must formally assign, in advance, all rights, title and interest they may have in any IP developed to the University prior to commencing a project.
View the general conditions for Federation University HDR Scholarships on the Graduate Research School website. Where these conditions differ to those on this form, the conditions outlined for this specific scholarship take precedence.
How to apply
Applicants who do not complete all steps will not be considered.
Step 1: Follow the application process outlined at: How to apply
Step 2: Provide a 1000-word statement covering the following areas:
Applicants are not required to provide a 250 Project Summary.
Step 3: Complete the Scholarship Expression of Interest Form