ProfessorAndrew Merchant

Project Opportunities

Project Title: Doctoral studies in plant physiology, crop production and biophysics

Project summary:

We are seeking three suitably qualified PhD candidates to fill the following positions supported by an Australian Research Council Discovery Project (DP250100305) titled: Plant source-sink dynamics and stomatal sensitivity using mobile NMR. The project, capitalises on the use of nuclear magnetic resonance sensors (NMR) and other advanced phenotyping techniques to monitor the movement of water and photo-assimilates within and among plant tissues.

All three PhD positions include support to perform research at both the University of Sydney (Australia) and the Plant Sciences Institute at the Forschungszentrum Jülich (Germany) as part of an embedded exchange program. Each of the three positions requires a practical mindset, involving the design and assembly of experimental setups as well as the use and maintenance of advanced scientific equipment. Knowledge of the fundamental principles of NMR is desirable but not necessary. 

1. Subproject: Doctoral studies in plant physiology

This doctorate position would be well suited to candidates with skills and an interest in plant physiology. 
Characterising source-sink dynamics in crop species (wheat and legumes). This position will investigate the coupling of photosynthetic rate with real-time seed loading rate leading to new metrics for plant selection to improve both yield production and stability. The successful candidate may choose to employ molecular tools to characterise process of plant ontogeny.

2. Subproject: Doctoral studies in crop production

This doctorate position would be well suited to candidates with skills and an interest in crop production. 
Characterising stomatal kinetics in response to heat and drought among different plant types. This position will investigate the rate of changes in leaf gas exchange and leaf hydraulic and chemical properties governing stomatal aperture. The successful candidate may choose to use a diverse set of plant genera to pursue fundamental questions in stomatal physiology.

3. Subproject: Doctoral studies in biophysics

This doctorate position would be well suited to candidates with skills and an interest in the biophysical relationships of plants to changing environments. 
Quantifying the sensitivity of seed development to the effects of heat and drought among different grain crops. This position will characterize grain filling and grain abortion during various stages of grain development as influenced by heat and drought. Part of the work will entail the construction and implementation of NMR sensors in experimental setups in Germany. Capabilities, or an aptitude for programming (python) and/or electrical/mechanical engineering may also be advantageous.

This opportunity/project is part of the Faculty of Science Australian Research Council (ARC) Scholarship scheme and is now advertised on the Scholarship Office website. Applications are open and will close on 18 January 2026.