Oula Ghannoum

The ARC Training Centre for Smart & Sustainable Horticulture at Western Sydney University is offering a fully funded PhD scholarship for a highly motivated candidate to join a research group focused on increasing horticulture productivity through Life Cycle Analysis of Horticulture Food Systems. Based at the Hawkesbury Campus, this project is part of a collaborative initiative between industry and research institutions, aiming to develop innovative approaches for the sustainable horticulture industry in Australia. The research will perform a comprehensive sustainability impact analysis of horticulture supply chains, examining selected horticultural produce types and accounting for differences among production systems, supply chains, and integrated technologies. Using life cycle impact assessment and various environmental indicators, the project will compare the environmental performance of alternative systems, including smart glasshouses, poly tunnels, vertical farming, and conventional farming. The intersection of technology and sustainability will be explored to develop strategic and operational solutions for enhanced sustainable performance. Outcomes of the study will include novel life cycle impact datasets contextualised for Australian horticulture supply chains, providing key stakeholders with actionable insights to strengthen industry sustainability. The project is led by Professor Dilupa Nakandala (School of Business) and Professor Oula Ghannoum, with support from the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment (HIE), a leading research institute renowned for high-quality horticulture research. Funding: Domestic and international candidates will receive a tax-free stipend of $37,000 AUD per annum for up to 3 years. International candidates with a strong track record may be eligible for a tuition fee waiver and Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) Single Policy. Additional support is available for conference attendance, fieldwork, and other approved costs. Eligibility: Applicants should hold an Australian First Class Bachelor (Honours) degree, a coursework Masters with at least 25% research component, a Research Master's degree, or equivalent overseas qualifications. Strong academic performance in optimisation methods, analytics, and supply chain management is required, along with experience in advanced statistical methods, data analysis, and field studies. Candidates must be enthusiastic, motivated, able to deliver research outputs, communicate scientific findings effectively, and work well in multidisciplinary teams. International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency. Application Process: Review the eligibility criteria and prepare a document explaining how you meet them. Contact the lead researcher by email to discuss your eligibility and express your interest. Request a letter of support from the lead researcher. Submit an online application via the Online Portal, selecting 'Project Scholarship'. Applications close on 31 January 2026 at 11.59pm AEDT. For further information or questions, contact Prof. Oula Ghannoum ([email protected]) or Prof. Dilupa Nakandala ([email protected]).

The ARC Training Centre for Smart & Sustainable Horticulture at Western Sydney University is offering an industry PhD scholarship for a highly motivated candidate to join a research group focused on optimising the yield and quality of horticultural crops grown in protected facilities. The project is based at the Hawkesbury Campus and is part of a collaboration with the University of Adelaide, University of Western Australia, and industry partner Valucky. The Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment (HIE) is a leading research institute within WSU, renowned for its plant environmental and ecological research. This PhD project aims to develop and test innovative solutions for monitoring the growth, health, and quality of crops in protected cropping facilities. Central to the research is the Hex Product Identity Network (Hex-PIN), a next-generation digital supply chain infrastructure built on scalable blockchain architecture and integrating IoT and AI technologies. The network enables trusted digital identities for products, full lifecycle traceability, transparent collaboration, and intelligent governance across supply chains. Research topics include enhancing trust, transparency, and data integrity in agricultural supply chains using blockchain; digitising supply-chain events and assets to support verifiable and low-risk financing; developing credit-risk assessment frameworks for agricultural producers using blockchain and smart contracts; analysing economic and incentive mechanisms for stakeholder participation; evaluating governance models for multi-party collaboration; and conducting empirical and simulation-based studies to improve financing accessibility, transaction efficiency, and risk reduction in agricultural value chains. The project generates theoretical and applied insights relevant to FinTech, digital agriculture, supply chain economics, and decentralised systems. The successful applicant will receive a tax-free stipend of $37,000 AUD per annum for up to 3 years. Domestic candidates are supported by the Research Training Program (RTP) Fee Offset. International candidates with a strong track record may be eligible for a tuition fee waiver and Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) Single Policy. Additional support is available for conference attendance, fieldwork, and approved costs. Applicants must hold an Australian First Class Bachelor (Honours) degree, coursework Masters with at least 25% research component, Research Master's degree, or equivalent overseas qualifications. Candidates should have an interdisciplinary background in blockchain technology, supply chain systems, and supply chain finance, experience in financial software operation and digital financial systems research, strong research interest in agricultural systems and agri-finance, knowledge of AI models in agriculture finance/supply chain context, strong academic writing skills, and good oral and written communication skills. International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency. Applications close on 31 March 2026 at 11.59pm AEDT. For questions and advice, contact Prof. Oula Ghannoum at [email protected]. For more information and to apply, visit the project page.

Western Sydney University and the Australian Centre for Integration of Oral Health (ACIOH) are advertising a PhD scholarship opportunity in Diabetes and Oral Health . The project sits within a national centre focused on integrated oral health research and aims to make a real-world impact at the intersection of diabetes, oral health, policy, and practice. The announcer is Prof Ajesh George , Co-Founder and Director of ACIOH at Western Sydney University. The post invites applicants to join a dynamic, multidisciplinary team and highlights collaboration with leading experts and national partners. The broader ACIOH materials emphasize student achievement, research translation, and engagement with industry and policy makers. Research focus: diabetes, oral health, integrated healthcare, public health, health promotion, oral health outcomes, and research translation. This is a student-oriented research opportunity rather than a job, and it is explicitly a PhD scholarship . Funding: the post highlights a tax-free stipend of $35,188 AUD per year plus annual support for research costs, conferences, and professional development. The linked university scholarship page indicates that project scholarships may also include additional benefits, and some projects can include tuition fee waivers depending on eligibility and track record. Eligibility: the post says applicants should have research-related qualifications and experience, with a preferred background in public health, oral health, nursing, allied health, medicine, or health promotion. The university scholarship page also shows that project scholarships are intended for higher degree research candidates undertaking a predefined project. How to apply: use the Western Sydney University scholarships page linked in the post, review the project details, and follow the application instructions. For questions, contact Prof Ajesh George at [email protected]. Application window: the post does not give a specific deadline for the ACIOH scholarship. The linked university page is a current scholarships listing, so applicants should apply as soon as possible.

Western Sydney University is advertising multiple PhD scholarship opportunities under its Project Scholarships scheme. The post highlights a project in gender studies, disability studies, and arts-based methods , with a focus on digital intimacy and inclusion for LGBTQA+ people with intellectual disability. The project explores how people connect, love, and learn online, with an emphasis on equity, reproductive justice, and inclusion through co-design and arts-based research methods. The scholarship page also lists additional PhD projects in related and interdisciplinary areas, including medical humanities , protected cropping , crop growth modelling , computer vision , machine learning , plant physiology , and horticulture . These projects are linked to Western Sydney University research groups and collaborators such as the Translational Health Research Institute and the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment. Funding is strong: one project offers a tax-free stipend of AUD 35,188 per year for 3 years and is described as a fully funded PhD ; other projects offer stipends of AUD 37,000 or AUD 39,533 per year for up to 3 years. Domestic candidates may receive RTP Fee Offset support, and some international candidates may be eligible for a tuition fee waiver and OSHC . Conference, fieldwork, and other approved costs may also be supported. Eligibility varies by project. For the humanities/social science project, applicants should have a strong background in relevant fields such as gender studies, sociology, anthropology, cultural studies, medical humanities, or related disciplines, plus strong scholarly English. For the quantitative/agri-tech project, applicants should have a background in computer science, data science, mathematics, physics, or a related quantitative field, with Python and deep learning experience, computer vision knowledge, and interest in sequence modelling and video understanding. The deadline in the post is 30 June 2026 . Interested applicants should review the project scholarship page, identify the project that best matches their background, and follow the university application process. The page indicates that project scholarships are updated monthly, so applicants should check the current listings and contact the relevant lead researcher for project-specific questions.

Western Sydney University is advertising a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Plant Photosynthesis and Phenotyping based at the Hawkesbury Campus/Richmond, New South Wales, Australia. The role sits within the Industrial Training Centre for Smart and Sustainable Horticulture (SaSH) and the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, with a strong focus on plant photosynthesis , carbon assimilation , plant stress physiology , high-throughput phenotyping , and crop improvement . The project aims to improve productivity and resilience in protected horticulture systems by linking plant physiology, phenotyping, biochemical screening, and applied outcomes for industry. The successful candidate will work with phenotyping platforms, chlorophyll fluorescence, gas exchange, hyperspectral reflectance, and related physiological and molecular data analysis to identify traits associated with yield and resilience. Eligibility highlights: applicants should hold a PhD in plant science, plant physiology, agronomy, biology, or a related discipline (or equivalent experience). Experience with photosynthesis research, gas exchange systems, fluorescence techniques, phenotyping platforms, plant biochemistry, and strong scientific communication/writing skills are expected. The role also values the ability to work independently and collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams. Funding and conditions: this is a full-time fixed-term postdoctoral appointment for up to 3 years. Salary is Academic Level A $97,153–$117,376 per annum plus 17% superannuation and leave loading. Employer visa sponsorship is available if required. How to apply: submit your application via Western Sydney University’s official online recruitment system. Include your CV and cover letter, and complete the screening questions in the portal. Use job reference code REF1453Y . Closing date: 2026-07-22 .

Western Sydney University is advertising a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Plant Photosynthesis and Phenotyping within the ARC Training Centre for Smart and Sustainable Horticulture (SaSH). This is a research-focused opportunity for candidates with a strong background in plant biology , photosynthesis , phenotyping , horticultural crop biochemistry , and related areas of agriculture and environmental science . The role involves applying physiology and phenotyping tools to improve yield and resilience in protected horticulture crops, working with elite germplasm, and translating findings into practical grower guidelines. The successful applicant will work at the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment / Hawkesbury Campus with flexible arrangements, as part of an interdisciplinary and multi-institutional team with national and international collaborators and commercial partners. Responsibilities include developing and refining phenotyping methods, integrating plant phenotyping platforms, conducting physiological and biochemical screening, publishing peer-reviewed papers, preparing reports and manuscripts, presenting at seminars and conferences, and contributing to grant development. Eligibility highlights: PhD in plant biology or equivalent experience; expertise in photosynthesis measurements such as gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, and hyperspectral reflectance; experience with plant phenotyping platforms; and strong skills in enzyme, metabolite, and gene expression analysis. Communication, organisation, and the ability to engage with industry partners and mentor students are also emphasized. Funding and terms: Full-time, fixed-term appointment for 3 years at Academic Level A, with salary AUD 97,153–117,376 per annum plus 17% superannuation and leave loading. Employer visa sponsorship is available if required. Application window: Closing date is 11:59 pm, Wednesday 22 July 2026. Applications must be submitted via the university’s online recruitment system using reference code REF1453Y. For enquiries, contact Professor Oula Ghannoum at [email protected].

Western Sydney University is advertising a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Data Science for Smart Horticulture within the ARC Training Centre for Smart Horticulture (SaSH) in Richmond/Hawkesbury, New South Wales, Australia. The role sits at the intersection of computer science , statistics , agriculture , and environmental science , with a strong emphasis on artificial intelligence , machine learning , data science , precision agriculture , digital agriculture , and sensor analytics . The successful candidate will work on reproducible data pipelines, predictive and explanatory models, and modelling approaches for crop growth, stress, yield, and quality in protected horticultural systems. Research activities include integrating heterogeneous datasets such as imaging, sensors, environmental variables, and operational data; designing experiments and data acquisition strategies; developing statistical learning, mechanistic modelling, hybrid physics-informed machine learning, and stochastic modelling methods; and translating outputs into dashboards, code repositories, and reusable tools for research and industry partners. Eligibility highlights: a PhD in Data Science, AI, Computer Science, Statistics, Agricultural Engineering, Plant Science, or a related quantitative field; experience with machine learning and predictive analytics; strong Python programming skills (R also mentioned in the social post); and excellent communication and teamwork skills. The full job description also values dynamic systems modelling and reproducible research workflows. Funding and conditions: this is a paid 3-year fixed-term academic appointment, with salary of AUD $97,153–$117,376 per annum plus 17% superannuation and leave loading. The university states that employer visa sponsorship will be provided if required . Application window: closes 19 July 2026 at 11:59 pm. Applicants must submit through Western Sydney University’s online recruitment system and include reference code REF1452K . Contact: Professor Oula Ghannoum ([email protected]).

Western Sydney University’s ARC Training Centre for Smart and Sustainable Horticulture is advertising openings for one postdoctoral research fellow and two domestic PhD scholarships in plant and crop science. Postdoc opportunity: Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Plant Photosynthesis and Phenotyping (REF1453Y) . The role is based at the Hawkesbury Campus / Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment and focuses on applying plant physiology and phenotyping tools to improve yield and resilience in protected horticulture systems. The successful candidate will work on photosynthesis, plant phenotyping, crop biochemistry, and trait selection for elite germplasm, with outputs aimed at both academic publication and industry translation. Research themes for the PhD scholarships: Optimising Crop Photosynthesis in Protected Systems and Biomass Allocation and Yield Modelling in Protected Crops . These projects sit within protected cropping, sustainable horticulture, crop physiology, and yield modelling. Eligibility highlights for the postdoc: PhD in plant biology or equivalent experience; expertise in photosynthesis, phenotyping, and horticultural crop biochemistry; hands-on experience with gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, hyperspectral reflectance, plant phenotyping platforms, enzymes, metabolites, and gene expression; strong communication and organisational skills; ability to work with industry partners and mentor students. Funding: The postdoc is a 3-year full-time fixed-term appointment at Academic Level A with salary AUD 97,153–117,376 per annum plus 17% superannuation and leave loading. Visa sponsorship is available if required. The post does not specify the scholarship value for the PhD projects in the provided text. Application: Apply via Western Sydney University’s online recruitment system for the postdoc and include reference REF1453Y . The closing date is 19 August 2026 at 11:59 pm . For the PhD scholarships, use the linked project scholarship pages and follow the instructions there. Enquiries can be directed to Professor Oula Ghannoum at [email protected] .