Project summary
The project will be based at the University of the Sunshine Coast’s Forest Research Institute, supervised by Dr Sam Van Holsbeeck, and conducted in collaboration with the Forest Pest Management Research Consortium and industry partners. The research will contribute to advancing scientific understanding of pesticide behaviour in managed forest ecosystems while supporting the development of more robust risk assessment frameworks for pesticide stewardship in plantation forestry.
Applications close
7 August 2026 11:55pm
To complete an application you will need to create an account and login to the HDR scholarships portal.
Eligibility and ideal candidate
We are seeking a motivated candidate with a strong academic background in environmental science, environmental chemistry, forestry, agronomy, ecology, or a related discipline. The ideal candidate will have an interest in pesticide environmental fate, environmental risk assessment, or sustainable land management.
Applicants should demonstrate strong research capability, including quantitative analysis, data interpretation, and scientific communication skills. Experience with environmental modelling, pesticide risk assessment, or ecological data analysis will be highly regarded but is not essential.
The position will suit someone who is curious, analytical, and motivated to contribute to research that improves environmental risk assessment and pesticide stewardship in managed forest ecosystems.
Eligibility requirements include:
- International applicants only
Inclusions
The full-time candidature period is 3 years, with possibility of a 6-month extension. Coverage for an international HDR student includes:
- Stipend - $38 000 (AUD) per annum, indexed annually.
- Tuition fees - Full coverage, with a value of $29 300 per annum.
- Relocation allowance - Up to $2,000 to relocate to a UniSC campus
- Overseas Student Health Cover - Single
All inclusions are in accordance with UniSC Research scholarship guidelines.
For more information
Contact Dr Sam Van Holsbeeck at svanhols@usc.edu.au.