Addressing emerging nutrient limitations in the Australian grains industry for improved fertiliser management of potassium

About this project

If you are passionate about a career in environmental or agricultural science and keen to make an impact on sustainable agriculture practices which also benefit the environment, the University of South Australia – Australia’s University of Enterprise – is offering a hands-on project-based PhD within UniSA’s Future Industries Institute (FII), in partnership with the Grains Research Development Corporation (GRDC). 

This project is part of a large National GRDC funded project that is an integrated program of field, laboratory and glasshouse trials focussed on identifying the distribution of low K fertility in non-sandy soils in the northern and southern grains regions and, promoting the most effective K fertiliser practices that address K infertility in cropping systems. For this PhD project, you will develop and investigate the efficacy of using field deployed diffusive gradients in thin-films (DGT) devices for evaluating K fluxes in soil. In this project-based research degree you will have the opportunity to perform both laboratory-based experiments and carry out field work to validate your findings.

You will be based at the FII. Our focus is on forging national and international research partnerships in new industries and technologies that address real world issues. Our goal is to support a creative and engaged culture and to help develop a sustainable ecosystem in which innovative, complex, growth-focused industries thrive. You will benefit greatly from this vibrant and collaborative research environment and state-of-the-art infrastructure and modern research facilities. 

You will have access to laboratory and glasshouse experimental facilities, modelling platforms, and analytical instruments (e.g., ICPOES, ICPMS, TIMS, XRF, XRD, SEM, TEM, XPS).

What you’ll do

Laboratory and field work, synchrotron-based experiments, some interstate travel for team meetings and field work will be required. Upon completion, you will have an impressive suite of skills and experience in soil analysis and practical chemistry skills, field work expertise, data analysis and scientific writing. We will support you to develop and submit articles to a high-impact, scientific publications. Importantly, you will also disseminate your research findings to our relevant end users, including farmers and other industry stakeholders. You will have the opportunity to be supported to attend conferences to share your findings. This ever-growing and important research field means that your skills, networking connections and experience will provide you with flexible and exciting career pathways in industry or academia.

Where you’ll be based

You will be based in the Future Industries Institute (FII). We partner with industry and the professions to deliver innovation and technological advances to solve real world challenges. With research strengths across 5 sectors that cross disciplines from biomaterials engineering to minerals processing, FII creates local and global impact. Our research degree students partner with industry and end-users to develop their skills and relevant career experience and our state-of-the-art facilities support research growth and expertise. We work with SME’s via the Institute’s Testlab and provide R&D services that support industry challenges which is part of our $80million of infrastructure that consists specialised laboratories and equipment. Financial Support  

This project is funded for reasonable research expenses. Additionally, a living allowance scholarship of $35,200 per annum is available to eligible applicants. Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants will be eligible to receive an increased stipend rate of $52,352 per annum (2025 rate). A fee-offset or waiver for the standard term of the program is also included. For full terms and benefits of the scholarship please refer to our scholarship information for domestic students or international students. 

Eligibility and Selection

This project is open to applications from both Domestic and International applicants. Note that international students on a student visa will need to study full-time.

Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria for entrance into a PhD.  Additionally, applicants must meet the project selection criteria: 

• Master or Honours degree in environmental science, chemistry, agricultural science or related fields
• Demonstrated capabilities in chemical analyses 
• Ability to plan, execute, interpret and summarise data from chemical analyses 
• Knowledge of environmental or agricultural chemistry, in particular soil chemistry, is desirable

All applications that meet the eligibility and selection criteria will be considered for this project. A merit selection process will be used to determine the successful candidate.

The successful applicant is expected to study full-time, and to be based at our Mawson Lakes campus in the north of Adelaide. 

Essential Dates

Applicants are expected to start in a timely fashion upon receipt of an offer. Extended deferral periods are not available. Applications close on Wednesday 16 July 2025.