Apply now Job no:504092
Area:Sustainable Minerals Institute
Salary (FTE):Research Scholar BAND
Work type:Full Time – Scholarship, Full Time – Fixed Term
Location: St Lucia, Brisbane

The Sustainable Minerals Institute at The University of Queensland (UQ) is a world leading research institute dedicated to finding knowledge-based solutions to the sustainability challenges of the global minerals industry. Our purpose is to develop practical solutions to the challenges of operating sustainably in the resources sector. We have a unique inter-disciplinary approach including expertise in engineering, science and the social sciences.

Our expertise, which comes from experience across the research, government and industry sectors is genuinely independent and objective. Our work covers all facets of the life of mine from geology, to minerals extraction, water management issues, minerals processing, workplace health and safety, mine rehabilitation, energy and community engagement.

The role

Queensland State Government recently awarded an AQ Innovation Partnership Project titled Indigenous Employment, Forestry Livelihoods, Mining (2017 – 2021/2022) to University of Sunshine Coast and The University of Queensland and its partners: Green Coast Resources (GCR) Pty Ltd, Wik Timber Holdings Pty Ltd and My Pathways. The primary goal of this project is to support the establishment of a diversified indigenous forest industry that will maximize indigenous jobs, by harvesting timber and non-timber forest resources from areas to be declared as part of bauxite mining operations and establishing plantation forestry trials as part of mine-site rehabilitation. One of the important aspects underpinning desired plantation forestry outcomes is the rehabilitation of sustainable soil systems at post-mined land, through rehabilitating soil quality by utilizing tree/plant biomass (or forest mulch) from timber harvesting and forest clearing before mining, for the establishment and quality growth of key timber tree species as keystone species as required.

This AQ Innovation Partnership Project has the capacity to provide one full-time (2 years, fixed-term) Master of Philosophy (MPhil) living allowance scholarship. The MPhil project will focus on the understanding of organic matter decomposition and nutrient cycling characteristics in reconstructed soil systems from topsoil stripped and admixed with forest mulch prior to mining bauxite, in relation to nutrient requirements and growth of key tree species concerned. The expected outcomes will be integrated into the entire project deliverables.

The person

Outstanding and enthusiastic science graduates with relevant experience in soil science and/or plant physiology/nutrition are invited to submit Expressions of Interest to undertake the full-time MPhil project. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applicants will have a Bachelor degree (preferably with First Class Honours or equivalent) and demonstrable research skills in a relevant field.

Applicants must note that this is a two-stage application process. The first stage is responding to this posting and applying to participate in the AQ Innovation Project. The successful applicant to this Project will then be advised how to proceed with their application to the UQ Graduate School for admission into the MPhil higher degree by research program, which is the second stage of the application process. Being chosen to participate in the Project is not a guarantee of entry into the MPhil program. Applicants are advised to review the entry requirements of the UQ higher degree by research programs at https://graduate-school.uq.edu.au/uq-research-degrees .

The selected applicant should be prepared to commence the MPhil program at UQ in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia within the first two weeks of Research Quarter 3 (1-14 July) 2018.

Remuneration

Upon admission to the MPhil program, the successful applicant will receive a living allowance scholarship at the 2018 RTP standard rate, indexed annually, and a two-year (eight research quarter) tuition fee offset scholarship.

International applicants must note that they will be responsible for covering the cost of their Overseas Student Health Cover for the duration of their student visa. Please visit the UQ International Health Insurance website at https://future-students.uq.edu.au/international/health-insurance .

To Apply

To apply, please visit the UQ Scholarships Future HDR Students website (https://scholarships.uq.edu.au/search/scholarships?f[0]=type:scholarship&f[1]=field_enrolment_status:2362&f[2]=field_academic_career_term:1903 ) and submit your application for admission and scholarship online through the UQ Online Application portal via Applying for an HDR (https://graduate-school.uq.edu.au/future-students/applying-research-higher-degree ). In the scholarship section of your UQ Online Application, please ensure you indicate that you are applying for the SMI AQ Innovation Scholarship.

Enquiries

To discuss the research project, please contact Associate Professor Longbin Huang at [email protected] or Associate Professor Peter Erskine [email protected] .

For information about the UQ admission and scholarship process, please contact Chris Ende at [email protected] . 

Advertised:07 Mar 2018
Applications close:30 Apr 2018 (11:55 PM) E. Australia Standard Time