Trait-based mechanisms of plant-microbiome interaction to enhance abiotic stress

Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment

Lead Researcher: Dr. Eleonora Egidi and Distinguished Professor Brajesh Singh

About the project

Summary: Abiotic stressors such as drought, salinity, and nutrient limitation pose major challenges to the productivity and quality of horticultural crops. This PhD project investigates how plant-associated microbiomes interact with host traits to mediate resilience to these stressors. Focusing on key horticultural species, the candidate will explore how plant traits (e.g., exudate chemistry, root architecture, and stress-induced signalling) shape microbial recruitment and function, and how microbial traits (e.g., osmotic tolerance, hormone production, and metabolic flexibility) contribute to plant adaptation. The project integrates molecular profiling, synthetic community experiments, and trait-based modelling to develop strategies for microbiome-informed crop management.

What does the scholarship provide?

• Domestic candidates will receive a tax-free stipend of $37,000 (AUD) per annum for up to 3 years to support living costs, supported by the Research Training Program (RTP) Fee Offset.
• International candidates will receive a tax-free stipend of $37,000 (AUD) per annum for up to 3 years to support living costs. Those with a strong track record will be eligible for a tuition fee waiver and an Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) Single Policy.
• Support for conference attendance, fieldwork and additional costs as approved by the Institute and Centre.

Eligibility criteria

We welcome applicants from a range of backgrounds, who are keen to apply their skills to key issues in soil health and horticulture productivity. In particular, the project is suitable for candidates with strong interests in soil, plant and microbial science and in metagenomics and statistical modelling.

The successful applicant should:

• hold qualifications and experience equal to one of the following (i) an Australian First Class Bachelor (Honours) degree, (ii) coursework master's with at least 25% research component, (iii) Research Master's degree, or (iv) equivalent overseas qualifications.
• demonstrate strong academic performance in subjects relevant to soil, microbe, plant or agriculture.
• demonstrated experience with advanced statistical methods and large data-set analysis intelligence along with ability to write scientific papers is essential.
• experience in setting up glasshouse and field experiments, soil and plant sample collection and molecular microbial, and soil characteristics analysis.
• be willing to learn new statistical modelling, omics techniques applicable to soil, microbes and plant science.
• be enthusiastic and highly motivated to undertake further study at an advanced level.
• have good communication skills and be creative
• international applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency.

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 Researchers;

Dr. Eleonora Egidi: E.Egidi@westernsydney.edu.au

Distinguished Professor Brajesh Singh: B.Singh@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 September 2025

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

Scholarship reference code: PS2025_CS0671288_HIE