University of Western Australia PhD Scholarship

PhD scholarship opportunity at the University of Western Australia in crop microbiomes, climate extremes, and plant health. This project sits at the intersection of Biology, Agriculture, and Environmental Science, with a strong focus on how extreme climate events reshape crop-associated microorganisms and how microbial applications can improve plant resilience and disease resistance.

The research will combine field surveys and sampling, greenhouse experiments, and advanced multi-omics and computational approaches, including metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, microbial culturomics, and AI-based microbiome analysis. The project aims to generate new knowledge on microbiome responses to climate stress and pathogen threats, and to develop a Smart Microbiome Training workflow for sustainable agriculture.

The scholarship is open to domestic and international applicants who meet UWA Higher Degree by Research admission requirements. The post specifically notes that applicants should have previous research experience in the discipline, plus relevant experimental, bioinformatics, and data-analysis skills. The scholarship is a stipend scholarship valued at AUD 38,110.

To apply, prospective candidates should first contact Dr Chao Xiong at [email protected] to discuss suitability and obtain supervisory support. Applicants should then email a CV, academic transcripts, and a short research statement before submitting the formal scholarship application. The opportunity is open from 2026-06-05 to 2026-07-22.