Characterising metabolite-driven structuring of healthy soil microbiomes by mycorrhizal fungi

Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment

Lead Researcher: Assoc. Prof. Jonathan Plett

About the project

The Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment (HIE) is offering a research scholarship to a highly motivated PhD candidate to work within a molecular biology research group addressing how ectomycorrhizal fungi promote tree establishment in plantations and revegetation projects by improving soil biotic health. The project is funded by Western Sydney University's Graduate Research School, and the Australian Research Council.

Forestry production is limited globally by the quality of plantation sites, with many stands established in marginal soils with relatively poor productivity. Ectomycorrhizal fungi can help the establishment of new seedlings and their longer-term health by improving root vigour and supporting plant nutrition and hydration. This project aims to identify and characterise at the molecular level how ectomycorrhizal fungi use secreted secondary metabolites to establish within new soil environments, and test the hypothesis that these metabolites drive the assembly of their surrounding microbiome to promote soil health. The molecular biology project provides an exciting opportunity to test new approaches that will inform management strategies in revegetation in plantation and native forestry.
The Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment (HIE) is a research institute within Western Sydney University. The HIE has rapidly become a leader in forestry and plant-microbe research, with a strong reputation for delivering research outcomes of the highest quality. The project will be based at HIE with the opportunity to work with the supervisors on interrelationships between plant-microbe symbioses, mycorrhizal signalling and soil microbiome function.

What does the scholarship provide?

• • Domestic candidates will receive a tax-free stipend of $32,192 (AUD) per annum for up to 3 years to support living costs, supported by the Research Training Program (RTP) Fee Offset.
  • Support for conference attendance, fieldwork and additional costs as approved by School/Institute.

Eligibility criteria

We welcome applicants from a range of backgrounds, who are keen to apply their skills to key issues in sustainable forestry and developing novel understanding and management tools to promote healthy soils. In particular, the project is suitable for candidates with strong interests in mycorrhizal molecular biology, metabolomics, and the functional characterisation of microbiomes.

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 25% research component, (iii) Research Master’s degree, or (iv) equivalent overseas qualifications.
• demonstrate strong academic performance in subjects relevant to microbial ecology, molecular biology, and/or forestry.
• possess a background with hands-on experience in plant and/or fungal molecular biology and have an interest in plant:microbe interactions.
• be enthusiastic and highly motivated to undertake further study at an advanced level.

How to apply

1. Review the project’s eligibility criteria. You will need to provide in your application a document which explains how you satisfy the projects eligibility criteria.
2. Contact the lead researcher listed to discuss your eligibility, the project’s requirements and your intention to apply. You should email them to introduce yourself, describe your qualifications and experience, and express your interest in their research project. If they are interested, you may want to arrange a phone call, video call or meeting to discuss your application. You will need to request a letter of support from the lead researcher to support your application for the scholarship.
3. Submit an online application for the project by logging into the Online Portal and selecting 'Project Scholarship'. Note: You do not need to submit an application for Doctor of Philosophy or Research Scholarship.

Incomplete applications or applications that do not conform to the above requirements will not be considered.

For questions and advice about the research project, please contact the Lead Researcher; Assoc. Prof. Jonathan Plett: J.Plett@westernsydney.edu.au

For questions and advice about the scholarship application process, please submit your scholarship enquiry:

• Currently enrolled WSU HDR candidate, please submit your enquiry here

• Not currently enrolled WSU HDR candidate, please submit your enquiry here

Applications close 31 August 2025

*Applications close at 11.59pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT).

Scholarship reference code: PS2024_155_HIE