This PhD scholarship is funded by an Australian Research Council Industry Fellowship grant. It is a 3.5-year research training program. The ARC Industry Fellowship program aims to develop a strong pipeline of researchers in Australia with capabilities in research collaboration, translation and commercialization, open up and maintain a diversity of career pathways traversing university and industry settings, increase strategic engagement and alignment between universities and industry, contribute to the solving of industry-identified challenges and opportunities, and create commercial, economic and other benefits for Australia through enhanced translation and commercialisation, including the development of start-up companies.

Apply today for this exciting opportunity in the School of Agriculture, Food and Wine at the University of Adelaide.

Project overview

Decoding airborne volatiles in environmental smoke that taint wine.

Bushfires, stubble burns, and controlled burns all pose major risks to the international winemaking industry. Noxious, volatile chemicals in the smoke can be absorbed by grapes, making them unfit for winemaking. Australia’s vignerons have suffered $1.4B in losses in winegrape quality from smoke damage over the last 20 years and the problem is only expected to get worse with climate change. Currently, grapes need to be ripe before testing, so growers need to maintain crops for several months only to find they are worthless at harvest. This project aims to develop new capability to detect and measure volatile agents directly in smoke, allowing growers to make more cost-effective vineyard management decisions and mitigate risk. 

The successful candidate will develop the research objectives in collaboration with an experienced supervisory panel, comprised of researchers at the University of Adelaide, the Australian Wine Research Institute, CSIRO and DSTG. The research will be based at University of Adelaide’s Waite Campus and The Australian Wine Research Institute. Research objectives include developing state-of-the-art analytical protocols to identify and measure trace levels of smoke volatiles known to damage winegrapes, conducting field sampling, analysing smoke volatiles in field samples, and working with industry partners to translate this new technology into commercial sensors for vineyard installation. Further opportunities involve integrating the research data into the National Smoke Forecasting system developed by CSIRO.

Along with a $42,000 p.a. scholarship for three and a half years, the student will have the opportunity to undertake a funded 60-day industry placement with one of our research partners.

Eligibility Requirements

 The successful candidate must:

1. Be an Australian citizen. 
2. Meet the requirements for PhD admission at the University of Adelaide.
3. Meet University English language requirements.
4. Not have previously completed a PhD.
5. Be able to commence the Program in the year of the offer.
6. Enrol as a full-time PhD student. Part-time arrangements may be considered if approved by the supervisory team and in accordance with University policy.
7. Be prepared to be located at the project location(s) that the host university has approved and, if required, comply with the host university’s external enrolment procedures.

The following skillset and experience will be advantageous:

• First Class Honours or Masters degree in Chemistry or Environmental Science
• Skills in analytical chemistry, particularly GC-MS analysis of trace volatiles
• Good communication and problem-solving skills
• Knowledge in data analytics (python or R) is desirable
• Knowledge in atmospheric chemistry is desirable
• Knowledge and interest in wine is desirable

Applying: Expression of interest

Expressions of interest should be submitted to mango.parker@awri.com.au  with the name of scholarship in the subject heading. Please ensure you include all of the following documents:

• Curriculum vitae
• Degree certificates
• Academic transcripts
• Translations of non-English documentation
• Evidence of English language proficiency (i.e., official IELTS, TOEFL scores)
• A brief research proposal (two page maximum) of your original writing, outlining your motivations for applying for this position, background and methodology you would apply to the project, complete with literature references.

Please include a cover letter which outlines your:

• Eligibility for the program
• Demonstrated interest and experience in analytical chemistry, particularly GC-MS analysis of trace analytes and field sampling techniques.
• Demonstrated interest or experience in airborne volatiles in environmental smoke or air.
• Relevant experience in environmental chemistry and wine is desirable but not essential to be a strong candidate for the position.
• Well-developed communication and interpersonal skills.
• Willingness and enthusiasm for working in multidisciplinary teams and environments, including industry partners.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and be self-motivated to complete research to a high standard.

Enquiries:

Dr Mango Parker, Australian Wine Research Institute

mango.parker@awri.com.au

General Enquiries

Email: hdrindustryenq@adelaide.edu.au

Ph: +61 8 8313 0260