Plant Science Research Scholarship
Background
Plant cells are encased by polysaccharide-rich cell walls that provide mechanical support and protection against pathogens. However, efforts to change the cell walls to improve pathogen resistance often impair plant yield. This is because plants sense cell wall changes through cell wall integrity signaling, which hampers our ability to modify cell walls for biotechnological advancements. By understanding cell wall integrity signaling mechanisms, it may be possible to improve plants without decreasing yield. In this project, the PhD student will aim to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying cell wall integrity signaling and how this impacts the plant’s ability to resist against pathogens.
Benefits of the scholarship include:
- a La Trobe Research Scholarship for three and a half years, with a value of $28,597 per annum, to support your living costs (2021 rate)
- a fee-relief scholarship for up to four years
- relocation allowance and publication/thesis allowance
- opportunities to work with La Trobe’s outstanding researchers, and have access to our suite of professional development programs.
Are you eligible to apply?
To be eligible to apply for this scholarship, applicants must:
- meet the entrance requirements for the proposed course
- not be receiving another scholarship greater than 75 per cent of the stipend rate for the same purpose.
- will be enrolled full-time and undertaking their research at a La Trobe University campus
- have completed a Masters by Research or other significant body of research, such as an honours research thesis or lead authorship of a peer-reviewed publication, assessed at a La Trobe Masters by research standard of 75 or above
How to apply
- review details on how to apply for candidature
- contact the project supervisor, Ghazanfar Khan Ghazanfar.khan@unimelb.edu.au or Prof Jim Whelan j.whelan@latrobe.edu.au with any enquiries or to express an interest in the project.
- when you have received in-principle agreement for supervision, complete and submit your application by 15 February 2021 for admission into La Trobe’s PhD program, indicating you wish to be considered for this scholarship on the application
- you are not required to submit a research proposal
- you may be required to attend an interview
The University will carefully review your application and consider you for this scholarship. You will be advised of an outcome in April 2021.
Who to contact for further information
Ghazanfar Khan, Ghazanfar.khan@unimelb.edu.au