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PhD Scholarship: Improving cropping decisions with AI-enhanced weather forecasts

Australian grain growers face increasing challenges from seasonal uncertainty, rising input costs, and climate variability. This PhD project offers a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of agricultural innovation, exploring how advanced weather forecasting, crop modelling, and digital decision tools can be harnessed to support smarter, more agile on-farm decisions. It offers a unique opportunity to work at the frontier of agricultural science and data-driven innovation.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to co-design the focus of this research project. Potential areas of research include integrating AI-enhanced weather forecasts with crop models, exploring tools to guide land allocation and nitrogen management, or developing dashboards that fuse multiple data streams to improve on-farm planning. The project is strongly industry-linked, with a clear pathway to applied outcomes.

This project is offered through the prestigious CSIRO Industry PhD Program supported by an expert multidisciplinary team from UniSQ, CSIRO and industry.  The successful candidate will be primarily based at UniSQ’s Toowoomba campus and embedded within CSIRO’s Environment Research Unit in Brisbane. With active collaboration from industry partners AgriTech Solutions and Hydrotech Monitoring Pty Ltd (trading as HTM Complete), both leaders in agricultural technology and decision-support systems across Far North Queensland, the successful candidate will gain hands-on experience in applied research. These industry placements will provide opportunities to contribute to impactful innovations and foster strong professional connections across both academic and commercial sectors.

The candidate will gain cutting-edge interdisciplinary training in agricultural systems, climate science, and decision support. This scholarship offers access to national datasets, advanced modelling platforms, and expert supervision to support your research journey. You'll gain real-world experience, contribute to practical tools used by farmers, and have opportunities to publish your work, attend conferences, and make a meaningful impact in the field.

 
Value
  • Stipend of AUD $47,000 (2025 rate).
  • A project expense and development package of up to $13,000 per annum.
  • Maximum period of tenure of an award is 4 years. Periods of study already undertaken towards the degree will be deducted from the period of tenure.

To be eligible applicants must:

• Be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanent resident (as per CSIRO iPhD Program guidelines) and meet UniSQ’s PhD admission requirements.
• Have completed an Honours Degree with First Class or 2A Honours, or equivalent level, or a master’s degree with significant research component.
• Not be receiving equivalent support providing a benefit greater than 75% of the student’s stipend rate.
• Meet participating university PhD admission requirements.
• Meet university English language requirements.
• Not have previously completed a PhD.
• Be able to commence the Program in the year of the offer.
• Enrol as a full-time PhD student.
• Be prepared to be located at the project location(s) that the host university has approved and, if required, comply with the host university’s external enrolment procedures.

 

Applicants will be assessed on their ability to undertake the proposed research and contribute to project goals. Applicants who meet most but not all criteria are still encouraged to apply. We are looking for a motivated and capable researcher who is eager to grow into this opportunity.

The selection panel will use the following criteria:

  • Familiarity with crop simulation models (e.g. APSIM, DSSAT, AquaCrop) or experience with agricultural or environmental modelling.
  • Some experience with programming in R and/or Python.
  • Exposure to climate or weather data, forecasting systems, or geospatial tools.
  • Understanding of or curiosity about machine learning, AI, or cloud computing tools used in agricultural analytics.
  • Interest or experience in working with industry, government, or multidisciplinary research teams.

To apply, please ensure you have digital copies of the below information:

  • Curriculum vitae; encompassing any research presentations and/or publications
  • Education qualifications (testamur and academic transcripts for all undergraduate and postgraduate awards) 

Application must be made via the UniSQ Scholarship Application Management System by the closing date.

If you require assistance in completing your application please download the Scholarship Online Application Manual (PDF 2.14MB).  

Open until scholarship is filled. Ideally seeking early 2026 commencement.

For further information please view the following attachment or contact Dr. Brian Collins (brian.collins@unisq.edu.au).