Pathways to a carbon neutral livestock sector Social, economic and environmental pathways to a carbon neutral livestock sector by 2030

About the Project
About the research project
This project will support the Tasmanian and Australian red meat industry by developing prospective social, economic and environmental pathways to carbon neutrality by 2030. Through a series of farm carbon-accounting workshops with farmers and industry, the candidate will develop whole farm greenhouse gas emissions mitigation options for livestock production systems across Australia. The project will partly include a focus on soil carbon sequestration and may include field trials on mainland Australia and short surveys with end-users. Using participatory protocols with the agricultural community, the candidate will develop social and environmental approaches for improved environmental stewardship – including quantification of natural capital, biodiversity and ecosystems services – for development of land management practices that reduce carbon emissions, adapt farming systems to climate change and engender improved sustainability and profitability of agricultural production.

In being part of a multi-party consortium led by UTAS, the student will gain exposure to a range of disciplinary expertise, from carbon accounting, to agroforestry, to economic analysis. This project will foster adoption of research findings through written media (peer-reviewed and industry publications), conference presentations and direct engagement with end-users in interactive settings, such as workshops.

Primary Supervisor
MEET A/PROF MATT HARRISON

Funding
The scholarship supporting this project provides:

a living allowance stipend of $28,597 per annum (2021 rate, indexed annually) for 3.5 years;
a relocation allowance of up to $2,000;
a tuition fee scholarship for up to 4 years (successful domestic applicants will be awarded an RTP Fees Offset and successful international applicants will be awarded a University of Tasmania Fees Offset)
The scholarship supporting this project is funded by the University of Tasmania and the Australian Government through the Research Training Program.

Eligibility
The project is open to domestic (Australia and New Zealand) and international applicants who are already in Australia (onshore) at the time of submitting their application.

Due to current Australian COVID-19 travel restrictions the University cannot accept applications from International applicants who are currently overseas.

Applicants should review the PhD minimum entry requirements and the following additional eligibility criteria specific to this project/scholarship:

The applicant must be currently physically located in Australia
The applicant must have a current Australian Drivers Licence
The applicant must be willing and able to undertake interstate travel within Australia
The IELTS test must have been undertaken after 28 June 2020 (no more than 12 months old)
Applicants from the following disciplines are encouraged to apply:

Agriculture
Engineering
Computer Science
Plant Science
Biology
Physics
Selection Criteria
The project/scholarship is competitively assessed and awarded.  Selection is based on academic merit and suitability to the project as determined by the College.

Application process
There is a three-step application process:

Select your project, and check you meet the eligibility and selection criteria;
Contact the Primary Supervisor, [email protected], if you have any questions about the project; and
Click here to submit an application by the closing date listed above.
Copy and paste the title of the project from this advertisement into your application. If you don’t correctly do this your application may be rejected.
As part of your application you will be required to submit a covering letter, a CV including 2 x referees and your project research proposal.
Following the application closing date applications will be assessed within the College. Applicants should expect to receive notification of the outcome by email by the advertised outcome date.