About the Project
The Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment (HIE) is a research institute within Western Sydney University. HIE has rapidly become a research leader in environmental and ecological research, with a strong reputation for delivering research outcomes of the highest quality. HIE houses a team of over 50 academic research scientists and over 50 PhD students with access to a unique suite of world-class research facilities.
We are now offering a Research Scholarship to a highly motivated PhD student to work within a research group addressing the functional role of plant silicon in resistance to climate change and insect herbivores. The project is funded through the Australian Research Council.
Many grasses take up large amounts of silicon, which has been shown to be an effective defence against herbivores, but also alleviates the effects of a broad range of abiotic stress, including drought. Silicification of plant tissues makes them more abrasive to herbivores and can alleviate drought stress (e.g. reduced water loss via transpiration). Moreover, silicon may provide plants with structural support at a lower metabolic cost than carbon-based compounds such as lignin. Silicon is expected to be particularly beneficial to plants growing in seasonally arid and low nutrient environments, such as Australia.
This project will expose a range of Australian and exotic temperate region grass species to predicted changes in precipitation patterns with and without silicon supplementation. Attendant changes in photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, leaf water potential and transpiration will be characterised. Plant growth recovery will be assessed using automated phenomic screening. Selected species will be tested for susceptibility to insect herbivores representing different feeding guilds.
The project will identify whether silicon alleviates water stress in Australian grasses, in relation to other physiological traits, and determine how this affects plant susceptibility to herbivores. The project provides an exciting opportunity to test new approaches for plant protection and climate change adaptation. The project will be based at HIE with the opportunity to work with the UKbased supervisor, Prof Sue Hartley, on novel analytical techniques for the visualisation of silicon deposition under different climatic conditions.
What does the Scholarship provide?
» Domestic students will receive a tax free stipend of $26,682 per annum and a funded place in the doctoral degree.
» International students will receive a tax free stipend of $26,682 per annum. Those with a strong track record will receive a fee waiver.
» Funding is available for project costs and conference travel.
Criteria
We welcome applicants from a range of backgrounds, who are keen to apply their skills to key issues in environmental biology. In particular, the project is suitable for candidates with strong interests in plant biology, plant physiology, climate change and/ or entomology.
The successful applicant should:
» hold qualifications and experience equal to one of the following (i) an Australian First Class Bachelor Honours degree, (ii) coursework Masters with at least a 25% research component , (iii) a Research Masters degree or (iv) equivalent overseas qualifications
» demonstrate strong academic performance in subjects relevant to ecology, plants and entomology
» have an understanding of the importance of climate change adaptation
» be willing to learn analytical techniques applicable to plant physiology and plant chemistry » be enthusiastic and highly motivated to undertake further study at an advanced level
» International applicants must also demonstrate a high level of proficiency in the English language. Please refer to the English language requirements at www.westernsydney.edu.au/international/home/admissions/entry_requirements
HOW TO APPLY » Dr Scott Johnson [Email Address Removed] or Prof. David Tissue [Email Address Removed]
» Contact the Graduate Research School at [Email Address Removed].
» Please submit an application form, CV, names and contact information of two referees, and a one-page document stating how your research interests align with the project’s aims.
Closing date: 1 September 2017
The application form can be downloaded: www.westernsydney.edu.au/graduate_research_school/ grs/scholarships/current_scholarships
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