Rural Economies Centre of Excellence PhD Scholarship

The University of Southern Queensland, through the Rural Economies Centre of Excellence (RECoE), is offering a three-year PhD scholarship to study key aspects of agricultural value chains in Queensland. The thesis topic will be developed with the supervisory team after enrolment is completed but the focus is expected to be on one or more of:

Comparisons of the structure, operation and economic impacts of different value chains;
Increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of value chains;
Identifying the distribution of value along the chains;
Identifying how improvements in the efficiency and effectiveness of value chains could benefit the chain actors and rural economies more generally; and
Policies to support efficient and effective value chains.

The study must be based on agricultural production in Queensland, though the scope of the work can extend further as other aspects of the value chain are considered. In consultation with the supervisory team, the successful candidate will identify a selection of value chains for the study, but consideration will be given to extensive grazing and cropping industries and some horticultural value chains.

Stipend of $30,000 per annum.
If an international applicant is selected, a UniSQ International Fees Research Scholarship will also be allocated.
Maximum period of tenure of an award is three years. Periods of study already undertaken towards the degree will be deducted from the period of tenure.

The successful PhD candidate must:
• Have completed a Bachelors Degree with First Class Honours, or equivalent level;
• Have applied, or currently enrolled in the PhD at UniSQ;
• Be either a Domestic or International student;
• Have studied in areas such marketing, management, economics or a relevant business discipline;
• Have a capacity to engage and positively interact with people who work in agricultural industries;
• Be capable of independent work.

The successful candidate is expected to be primarily located at the UniSQ Toowoomba campus, however other locations involving research partners will be considered. The research project will require travel in rural areas of Queensland.

Applicants will be assessed on:

alignment with the University's research priority areas;
academic merit, previous research outputs and research experience of the applicant;
research track record of the proposed supervisory team;
quality of the research proposal.

It is highly desirable for the PhD candidate to:

Have experience in working in or with Australian agricultural industries.
Have undertaken study about or research into Australian values chains.

To apply, please ensure you have digital copies of the below information:

Curriculum vitae;
Preliminary Research Thesis Topic Proposal (DOC 78KB).
Education qualifications (testamur and academic transcripts for all undergraduate and postgraduate awards);
List of any research presentations and/or publications;
Documentation confirming citizenship.

The above documents must be sent to grs@unisq.edu.au as a single PDF file. It is recommended that you contact either A/Prof Ben Lyons or Prof Geoff Cockfield before submitting your application.

Applications close 30 November 2019.

For more information, contact Ben Lyons, Ph: 07 4631 2928; Email Ben.Lyons@unisq.edu.au, or Geoff Cockfield, Ph: 07 46311246; Email: Geoff.Cockfield@unisq.edu.au.