PhD Opportunities at The Waite campus

Unifying on-farm data and crop models to enhance tactical crop decisions

Are you passionate about transforming agriculture through data science and real-world impact? This PhD project combines advanced mathematics with agricultural modelling to help Australian farmers make better, data informed decisions.

Modern farms produce vast amounts of data, while crop simulation tools such as APSIM continue to evolve. However, these two powerful resources are often used separately. This project aims to integrate on farm data with process-based crop models using advanced mathematical approaches, uncertainty quantification, data assimilation and optimisation methods, together with emerging machine learning tools such as physics informed models.

The initial research focus will be on improving nitrogen management practices, optimising how much and when to apply nitrogen to increase water and nutrient efficiency across Australian cropping systems. This project is part of the broader AAGI initiative “Harnessing emerging data science to unlock crop model potential and achieve production frontiers”.

Who should apply:
We are seeking candidates with strong quantitative skills and a background in one or more of the following areas:

• Data Science
• Applied Mathematics
• Agricultural or Environmental Engineering
• Agricultural Economics
• Management and Information Technology

Student type: International and Domestic
Degree: PhD
Signature Research Theme: Food, Agriculture and Wine
Supervisor: Dr Matthew Knowling

Efficient construction and visualisation of pangenomes for crops with large genomes

This PhD project is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the next generation of crop genetics research. Pangenomes represent the complete genetic diversity within a species and are vital for pre breeding and grains research. By integrating multiple genomes from different individuals or populations, pangenomes provide deep insights into gene variation, structural changes and evolutionary dynamics.

In this project, you will develop innovative computational methods for assembling pangenomes in diploid and polyploid crop species. You will explore dynamic programming techniques and evaluate their performance against other computational approaches, including graph-based methods. Working as part of a collaborative analytics team, you will combine algorithm development and programming with large scale genomic data analysis.

The project also provides opportunities to collaborate with partners at Curtin University and the University of Western Australia. Together, you will contribute to developing a web-based visualisation tool that represents pangenome structures and variations, supporting world class research and delivering practical outcomes that benefit Australian grain growers.

Who should apply
Applicants with a Master’s or Honours degree, or equivalent research or work experience, in the following disciplines are encouraged to apply:

• Bioinformatics and Genomics
• Computer and Data Science

Student type: International and Domestic
Degree: PhD
Signature Research Theme: Food, Agriculture and Wine
Supervisor: Dr Julian Taylor

To express your interest or to obtain more information, please contact: aagi_au@adelaide.edu.au.