La Trobe University Industry Research Scholarship: Crop ecology and agronomy of Aboriginal food plants (Dja Dja Wurrung Country)
Background
A doctoral scholarship with an industry top-up stipend awarded to an outstanding candidate to undertake research on establishment of key Buwatj (grass used for grain) kangaroo grass (Themeda triandra) as an indigenous perennial cereal grain.
Dja Dja Wurrung are leading a recent resurgence of interest in Aboriginal food plants, particularly grain crops such as kangaroo grass. Dja Dja Wurrung recognize that the revival of Djaara food crops are more than a cultural pursuit but provides an opportunity to heal Country and create a culturally informed modern agricultural sector for Australian farmers. Through the revival of Djaara crops Dja Dja Wurrung provide leadership and a vision for a sustainable land management future. This will provide a mechanism through which there are the opportunities to return economic advantage through the utilisation of Djaara resources on Country. This project will establish an approach which allows the revival of Djaara cropping systems at a scale applicable to modern agriculture to support a vibrant and profitable traditional owner economy and agricultural sector. Research outcomes are expected to inform cultural fire, food growing and restoration practices in Victoria.
The PhD candidate will be based at La Trobe University (Melbourne) and will spend time at Djandak Enterprises (Bendigo) working alongside Dja Dja Wurrung with regular field trips to central Victoria.
Dja Dja Wurrung are leading a recent resurgence of interest in Aboriginal food plants, particularly grain crops such as kangaroo grass. Dja Dja Wurrung recognize that the revival of Djaara food crops are more than a cultural pursuit but provides an opportunity to heal Country and create a culturally informed modern agricultural sector for Australian farmers. Through the revival of Djaara crops Dja Dja Wurrung provide leadership and a vision for a sustainable land management future. This will provide a mechanism through which there are the opportunities to return economic advantage through the utilisation of Djaara resources on Country. This project will establish an approach which allows the revival of Djaara cropping systems at a scale applicable to modern agriculture to support a vibrant and profitable traditional owner economy and agricultural sector. Research outcomes are expected to inform cultural fire, food growing and restoration practices in Victoria.
The PhD candidate will be based at La Trobe University (Melbourne) and will spend time at Djandak Enterprises (Bendigo) working alongside Dja Dja Wurrung with regular field trips to central Victoria.
This PhD scholarship and top-up stipend, established by La Trobe University in partnership with Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation/Djandak Enterprises, will be awarded to a qualified applicant with a background in botany, ecology, crop physiology or agronomy.
Benefits of the scholarship include:
- a La Trobe Research Scholarship for three and a half years, with a value of $28,092.00 per annum
- an industry stipend top-up from Dja Dja Wurrung for three years, with a value of $20,000 per annum
- a fee-relief scholarship for up to four years
- involvement in a project supported by a research operating grant of approx. $102,000
- academic supervision provided by the School of Life Sciences at La Trobe University (Dr James Hunt, Dr John Morgan)
- cultural supervision and mentoring provided by Djandak Enterprises
- access to our suite of professional development programs.
Are you eligible to apply?
To be eligible to apply for this scholarship, applicants must:
- an Australian Masters by research degree in a relevant discipline completed within the last ten years assessed at a La Trobe Masters by research standard of 75 or above; or
- an Australian Honours degree, Masters by coursework or ungraded Masters by research degree completed within the last ten years where you achieved a weighted average mark of 70 or above across any coursework subjects; AND any of the following assessed at a La Trobe Masters by research standard of 75 or above:
o a research thesis of approximately 15,000-20,000 words; or
o the degree includes a written research component comprising at least 3/8 of one year; or
o you are the lead author of a peer-reviewed publication or other research published within the last ten years
o demonstrated experience in field botany or crop and pasture agronomy
o applicants must be able to work independently as well as in a team, show a high level of initiative and collaboration, and have good communication skills
o Well-developed quantitative skills are desirable
Desirable:
- Experience working with Aboriginal communities
- Aboriginal candidates are encouraged to apply
How to apply
- Expression of interest: send your resume, transcripts, certificates and relevant publications (if any) in one PDF file to J.Hunt@latrobe.edu.au by 17 July 2020. You will be notified of the outcome by email.
- If your expression of interest is successful, you will be invited to an interview with representatives of La Trobe University and Djandak Enterprises.
- Selected candidates will be invited to apply for candidature. Details on how to apply are available at: https://www.latrobe.edu.au/study/apply/research The project partners will carefully review your application and consider you for this scholarship.
- It is anticipated that the successful applicant will commence candidature in Semester 2 2020.
Who to contact for further information
Associate Professor James Hunt, J.Hunt@latrobe.edu.au