Company Description

The research will be undertaken within Griffith Environmental Biogeochemistry Research Laboratory (EBRL), an internationally recognised research group led by Professor Chengrong Chen, with specialties in biogeochemistry, soil microbiology, and global change ecology.

The EBRL is situated within Griffith University’s Australian Rivers Institute (ARI), providing access to world-leading research facilities and an outstanding learning environment. ARI is a world-leader on rivers, coasts, and land-water connections, and can provide candidates opportunities for skills and career development, networking, and academic mentoring.

Job Description

We are looking for a PhD candidate to carry out important research into the role of plant–microbial interactions (i.e., ‘plant–soil feedbacks’) as drivers of ecosystem responses to changing patterns of fire frequency, severity, and extent in Australia.

The primary focus of this role is to understand how plant–microbial interactions in native Australian vegetation are disrupted or otherwise altered by novel fire regimes, using glasshouse trials, metabolomics approaches, and/or food-web manipulation experiments. Candidates will be encouraged to develop their own research goals within this theme. This project includes fieldwork in south-east Queensland and possibly interstate. Candidates may have opportunities to collaborate with other at Griffith University, The University of Sydney, The University of Melbourne, and Université Lyon.

The candidate will be supervised by Dr Orpheus Butler (ARC DECRA Fellow) and Professor Chengrong Chen.

This opportunity will be primarily based at Brisbane South (Nathan). As Griffith is a multi-site University you may be required to work across other locations.

Griffith University’s sites are located on the lands of the Yugarabul, Yuggera, Jagera, Turrbal, Yugambeh and Kombumerri peoples.

Qualifications

The selection of applicants for the award of higher degree research scholarships at Griffith University involves consideration of your academic merit and research background. To be successful within this role, you will be able to carry out research-related tasks, including field, laboratory, and glasshouse work independently, and demonstrate excellent written communication skills. You will have evidence of a passion for environmental science, conservation, or ecology, with a strong desire to undertake research in soil biology, terrestrial ecology, and/or ecophysiology.

• Expressions of interest are welcome from domestic and international applicants.
• Applicants must have completed, or expect to complete, a bachelors degree with honours equivalent to first class honours or a Masters degree (AQF Level 9) incorporating a significant research component of a standard comparable to a bachelor honours degree or be regarded by Griffith University as having an equivalent level of attainment in accordance with Schedule One of the HDR Scholarship Procedure. For further information on the eligibility requirements for the program refer here.

Please note:
Although not essential, candidates with expertise in Australian plant ecology, including working knowledge of species native to south-east Queensland, will be viewed favourably.

International applicants should ensure that English Language Proficiency requirements for the program are met before formally applying. Applicants to research programs will need to show they meet:

1. A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on the IELTS (Academic) with no band score less than 6.0 OR
2. A minimum score of 575 on the paper-based TOEFL including a score of no less than 5.0 on the TWE OR
3. A score of 79 on the internet-based (iBT) TOEFL with no sub-score less than 19
   

Additional Information

About the scholarship
The 2025 Griffith University Postgraduate Research Scholarship has an annual stipend of $34,752 (indexed) for a period of up to three years of full-time study. Please see the GUPRS Conditions of Award for more information.

A successful International applicant will also be awarded a Griffith University International Postgraduate Research Scholarship to cover tuition fees for up to three years. Please see the GUIPRS Conditions of Award for more information.

EoI process
Please do not select the “APPLY” button. All expressions of interest must be submitted to [email protected] containing:

• Statement addressing your suitability for the project/scholarship
• Evidence that you have completed a program with the required grades as detailed in the about you section, including a copy of your academic transcript
• A curriculum vitae (CV) using the Griffith CV template
• Names of two referees

Closing date of expressions of interest: Friday 27 June 2025 at 5pm AEST

The preferred applicant will then be invited to apply for the program and scholarship online.

What Griffith offers
As a scholarship holder, you will study with a University that ranks among the top 2% worldwide and spans across locations in South East Queensland. At Griffith University, we’ve worked hard to create a culture that will challenge you to be curious, creative and courageous. We also support the professional and personal development of all our HDR candidates and invest in the skills of our people. Griffith University values diversity, inclusion and flexibility and we encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and people of all backgrounds to apply. Griffith's strategic goals are to also increase the proportion of women in senior academic and administrative roles and in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM).

Further information

For project related enquiries please contact:
Dr Orpheus Butler
Email: [email protected]

For administration enquiries please contact:
Griffith Graduate Research School
Email: [email protected]