If you would like more information or have any questions about this scholarship, please contact the project supervisors.
Prof John Hornbuckle
Email: j.hornbuckle@deakin.edu.au
Ph: 0429 862 920
Determining actual crop water use for maximising the Water Circular Economy (WCE) in high value irrigated almonds
Applications will remain open until a candidate has been appointed.
Supporting a PhD candidate in enhancing water circular economy in irrigated almond production systems.
Key details
Project supervisor
Deakin school and faculty
Centre for Regional and Rural Futures
School of Life and Environmental Sciences
Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment
Additional supervisors
Yet to be confirmed
Location
Griffith, NSW
Value and duration
This scholarship is available over three years and offers:
- a stipend of $37,450 per annum tax exempt (2026 rate)
- a top-up of $10,000 per annum tax exempt
- a relocation allowance of $500-1,500 (for single to family) for students moving from interstate
For international students, the awardee will also receive:
- tuition fees offset for the duration of four years
- single Overseas Student Health Cover policy for the duration of the student visa.
Research aim
This PhD projects offers an exciting opportunity to be involved in research at the forefront of sustainable irrigation systems and water management, working with a leading, globally recognized dedicated irrigation research group in Australia's most intensively irrigated area.
The project will aim to:
- generate high quality field based datasets on irrigated water dynamics of almonds in the southern Murray Darling Basin
- identify pathways within irrigated almond production systems for maximising the Water Circular Economy (WCE)
- ground-truth and refine satellite based Evapotranspiration models for water monitoring across scales
- generate recommendations for improving economic returns, reduced scarcity risks, better compliance monitoring outcomes and enhanced sustainability of Murray-Darling Basin water resources.
Background information
This PhD project will focus on accurately quantifying crop evapotranspiration (ET) in high-value irrigated almonds within the Murray–Darling Basin using state-of-the-art energy balance instrumentation and water balance analysis. As the dominant component of the irrigated crop water balance, precise measurement of actual ET, is critical for understanding how much water is lost through transpiration and evaporation under varying irrigation practices and climatic conditions. These insights will underpin improvements in water use efficiency and contribute to advancing the water and energy circular economy of almond production systems. The research will also ground-truth and refine satellite-based ET models, enabling results to be scaled from orchard to Basin level. This work will support growers to optimise the water circular economy through maximising yield per megalitre, while also delivering broader benefits through improved economic returns, reduced water scarcity risks, better compliance monitoring outcomes, and enhanced sustainability of Murray–Darling Basin water resources.
The PhD will be based in Griffith, NSW, Australia at Deakin University's dedicated irrigation research laboratory.
The PhD candidate will work closely with commercial irrigators, water providers and compliance agency's and involve extensive field work. The project will provide an exceptional opportunity for the candidate to developed critical future needed and industry relevant skill sets on sustainable irrigated water management that has global relevance.
Am I eligible?
To be eligible you must:
- meet Deakin's PhD entry requirements
- enrol full time
- hold an honours degree (first class) or an equivalent standard masters degree with a substantial research component
Please refer to the research degree entry pathways page for further information.
Additional requirements:
- Ability and willingness to undertake fieldwork (extensive field work is required by the candidate as part of the PhD)
Ready to apply?
Please email your CV and cover letter (including your interest in the project) to Prof John Hornbuckle. Your CV should highlight your skills, education, publications and relevant work experience. If successful, you will be invited to submit a formal application.
Research degree entry requirements
Set yourself up for success. Each type of Deakin research degree has specific entry requirements designed to ensure that graduate researchers are well prepared for the challenges of advanced study.
