The University of Southern Queensland, in partnership with CSIRO and leading agricultural technology companies, is offering a fully funded PhD scholarship to advance AI-enhanced weather forecasting for improved cropping decisions. This industry-linked project provides a unique opportunity to combine climate science, crop modelling, and digital decision-support tools to address the challenges of seasonal uncertainty, rising costs, and climate variability in Australian agriculture.

Applicants must be Australian or New Zealand citizens or permanent residents, meet UniSQ’s PhD admission and English language requirements, and hold an Honours (First Class or 2A) or a Master’s degree with a significant research component. Candidates must not have previously completed a PhD, should be able to start in early 2026, enrol full-time, and be willing to work at the approved project locations.

Application Deadline: Open

Brief Description

• University or Organization: University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) in collaboration with CSIRO and industry partners AgriTech Solutions and Hydrotech Monitoring Pty Ltd (HTM Complete)

• Department: NA

• Course Level: PhD

• Award: Stipend of AUD $47,000 per annum (2025 rate) plus project expense and development package of up to $13,000 per annum

• Access Mode: Online application

• Number of Awards: NA

• Nationality: Australian or New Zealand citizens or permanent residents

• The award can be taken in: Australia (Toowoomba campus with placements in Brisbane and Far North Queensland)

Eligibility

• Eligible Countries: Australia and New Zealand

• Acceptable Course or Subjects: The scholarship will be awarded for a PhD program in agricultural innovation, climate science, and decision-support systems.

• Admissible Criteria: To be eligible, applicants must:

  • Be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanent resident (as per CSIRO iPhD Program guidelines)

  • Meet UniSQ’s PhD admission and English language requirements

  • Hold an Honours Degree with First Class or 2A Honours, or equivalent, or a Master’s degree with significant research component

  • Not have previously completed a PhD

  • Not be receiving equivalent support exceeding 75% of the stipend rate

  • Be able to commence the program in the year of offer (ideally early 2026)

  • Enrol as a full-time PhD student

  • Be prepared to be located at the approved project locations and meet any external enrolment procedures.

How to Apply

Applicants must prepare and upload the following documents via the UniSQ Scholarship Application Management System before the scholarship is filled:

• Curriculum Vitae (including research presentations/publications)

• Education qualifications (testamur and academic transcripts for all undergraduate and postgraduate awards)

Benefits

• Stipend of AUD $47,000 per annum (2025 rate)

• Project expense and development package of up to $13,000 per annum

• Maximum tenure of 4 years (reduced if prior study towards the degree has been undertaken)

• Interdisciplinary training in agricultural systems, climate science, and decision-support tools

• Access to national datasets, advanced modelling platforms, and expert supervision

• Industry placements with leading agricultural technology companies

• Opportunities to publish research, attend conferences, and contribute to practical innovations for Australian agriculture.

Apply Now