POST-GRADUATE students and post-doctoral researchers interested in studying or researching areas of priority to the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and the Australian grains industry are invited to apply for GRDC fellowship and grains research scholarship positions.

Dr Steve Jefferies

The Grains Research Scholarships (GRS) and the GRDC Post-Doctoral Fellowship are both designed to build capacity in the grains research sector, and are awarded based on the academic excellence of the applicant, the relevance of their proposed research to GRDC priorities and evidence of industry contribution or involvement.

This year the GRDC has widened the eligibility criteria for the GRS to include applicants, who qualify for a Commonwealth funded Research Training Programs scholarship (RTP), as well as those who don’t qualify for a RTP, but have demonstrated commitment to grains research and development and are likely to return to the Australian grains industry.

GRDC managing director Steve Jefferies said the organisation was committed to building the capacity and capability of grains industry research development and extension to ensure the enduring profitability of Australian growers.

“Supporting and encouraging graduates and post-doctoral researchers to join our industry is part of a strategy to build our national research capacity,” Dr Jefferies said.

“We need people with specialist research skills to make gains in areas like crop pathology, plant physiology, genetic improvements and disease resistance, which in turn can make a difference to what is happening in growers’ paddocks.

“Results from GRDC research investments are making a difference on a national scale and at a global level, so it is critical we continue to strengthen this area of our industry.”

For those candidates who achieve a RTP scholarship, the GRDC will offer a top-up scholarship to the value of 75 per cent (pc) of the base RTP, to attend conferences, workshops or skills development.

For those candidates who don’t receive a RTP scholarship, the GRDC will offer a scholarship at 75pc of the combined value of base RTP and the GRDC top up.

The GRDC Post-Doctoral Fellowship is for proposals aligned with and adding value to a current ongoing GRDC investment project, and applicants must include a clear plan to achieve any projected outputs in their two-page expression of interest.

Applicants must also demonstrate how the proposal will broaden the experience and skills of the fellow and must be supported with a co-contribution from the research organisation.

For more information about the eligibility criteria and the relevant GRDC priority issues, go to GRDC research scholarship.

Source : GRDC