2022 HDR Scholarship – Spatial-temporal digital mapping of soil carbon dynamics

Status: Closed

Applications open: 15/09/2022
Applications close: 1/12/2022

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About this scholarship
Description/Applicant information

This scholarship is funded by project ‘Next generation soil carbon systems’, funded by the Australian Government, which proposes to develop next-generation measurement and modelling technologies to improve understanding of soil carbon dynamics in terrestrial and coastal marine ecosystems.

 

Soil carbon connects with ecosystem functions and many UN sustainable development goals. But the dynamics of organic carbon in Australian soils are not well understood. We also do not have quantitative assessments of the carbon storage potential of Australian soils, nor do we know their vulnerability to environmental and anthropogenic change. This Joint Research Centre project will develop next-generation soil carbon systems to measure and understand better soil carbon dynamics in Australia’s terrestrial and coastal marine soils, determine their carbon storage potential and predict their vulnerability to change. Growing this understanding has significant environmental and socio-economic value for Australia. It can help guide climate change mitigation, maintain biodiversity, improve the biological function of ecosystems, improve soil condition, soil fertility, water storage, and productivity.

 

This scholarship will focus on developing next-generation spatial-temporal analysis and modelling methods for characterising soil carbon content, carbon composition and other soil properties. The project will involve field, laboratory, and computational experiments, focusing on development of new methods for farm-scale digital soil mapping.

 

Specific learning and research task might include:

• Acquisition of (gridded) remote and proximal sensing data.
• Processing of spatial data in geographic information systems.
• Spatial and spatial-temporal soil sampling designs.
• Geostatistical analyses of soil and environmental data.
• Multiscale spatial and spatial-temporal data analysis.
• Machine learning methods for spatial and spatial-temporal data.
• Uncertainty analysis and propagation.
• Preparation of digital soil maps.

 

The project will also involve field soil sampling campaigns, soil sample preparation, analysis with both laboratory equipment and in-field proximal and remote sensing.  Research findings will be disseminated through seminars, workshops, conferences and publication of significant research findings in peer-reviewed scientific (Q1) journals.

Student type

• Current Students

Faculty

• Faculty of Science & Engineering
  • Science courses

Course type

• Higher Degree by Research

Citizenship

• Australian Citizen
• Australian Permanent Resident
• New Zealand Citizen
• Permanent Humanitarian Visa
• International Student

Scholarship base

• Merit Based

Value

The scholarship provides a living stipend of $ 28,854 p.a., based on full-time study for a maximum of 3.5 years.

Scholarship Details
Maximum number awarded

1

Eligible courses

HDR student interested in soil chemistry, soil carbon science and applied experimental research.

Eligibility criteria

1. Applicants must hold a First or Upper Second-Class Bachelor's degree, or a MSc degree in a related science field (soil science, ecology, agriculture, environment---with emphasis in the application of mathematical and statistical methods), with a Merit and a minimum average grade of 65% and substantial research component.
 

2. Applicants must be driven and determined to successfully undertake a higher degree program. They must possess ability and confidence to self-manage and execute tasks individually, work well under supervision, be open to feedback and input from others, and ability to collaborate, negotiate, influence, and inspire others.
 

3. Applicants must demonstrate:

                   - Good understanding of modern, quantitative methods in soil science,

                   - An understanding of soil carbon variation and carbon dynamics,

                   - Excellent written and communication skills,

                   - An aptitude for using scripting programming languages for data analysis, for example R, Python, and

                   - Disposition for scientific communication, writing and publication.

Application process

If this research excites you, and your skills and experience are a good fit for this specific project, please prepare your application as follows: 
1.     Prepare your academic transcripts as per Eligibility Criteria 1. 
2.     Write a maximum of half-page (A4 single spaced) personal statement that demonstrates Eligibility Criteria 2. 
3.     Write a maximum of one-page (A4 single spaced) summary of work that best demonstrates Eligibility Criteria 3. 
4.     Prepare your curriculum vitae and publication list (if you have one), 
5.     Propose the names, telephone number and email of two academic references, 
Once you have prepared the documents, zip them into a single file with the date and your name and then: 

(i) send your application directly to Professor Raphael VISCARRA ROSSEL (r.viscarra-rossel @curtin.edu.au) and 

(ii) at the same time complete the Expression of Interest (EOI) form . 
If you have any questions about the project please contact Professor Raphael VISCARRA ROSSEL 
 

Enrolment Requirements

The scholarship is a full-time enrolment. No part time, casual or other allowed.

Progression is subject to passing annual progress reviews.

Enquiries

To enquire about this project opportunity that includes a scholarship application, contact the Project lead, Professor Raphael Viscarra Rossel via the EOI form above.

Further Information

The Australia-China Science and Research Fund­–Joint Research Centre project ‘Next generation soil carbon systems’, funded by the Australian Government. Start date is ASAP.

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