We’re seeking outstanding PhD applicants to innovate novel approaches to prevent, respond to, and recover from plant pests and diseases that threaten the economy and environment.

See the benefits of our PhD program.

We are offering generous PhD scholarships ($40,000 per annum, tax-free) with placements within government, industry and businesses that will prepare you for a future career as a biosecurity leader. 

18 fully funded scholarships are available. Funding is for 3.5 years. PhD projects are available in: 

• Diagnostics and surveillance 
• Data-driven decision making 
• Adoption practices 

We are committed to providing an exceptional PhD experience. As a Centre student you will receive mentoring from these leaders and have free access to training courses in leadership, communication, professional and technical skills. Additional internal funding opportunities are available to Centre students for project ideas. Our Centre students are funded to travel Australia for Training Retreats, Centre Forums and placements, and will build a network of fellow students and leaders.  

Across government and industry, our partners are constantly seeking PhD qualified employees. Doing your PhD with the Training Centre will give you the networks, knowledge and confidence to land a job you love after graduating.

Now open

Managing fruit fly in Papua New Guinea Treaty Villages

Expressions of interest close on 15 July 2026.

Oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis) is a highly invasive horticultural pest, found in at least 65 countries and infesting over 470 species of fruits and vegetables. Oriental fruit fly was detected in the Western Province of Papua New Guinea (PNG) for the first time in 1992, with subsequent detections in the adjacent Torres Strait islands (Queensland, Australia) by 1993. 

This project has been developed to evaluate if Oriental fruit fly numbers can be managed (or reduced) in the Treaty Villages of PNG.

You will be based in Cairns, Queensland, at James Cook University, and will work closely with scientists at the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry offices in Cairns and Canberra. You will also work closely with the South Fly Rangers (via INLOC), PNG’s Biosecurity Authority (PNGBA), and other relevant parties throughout the project.

Part of the required 12 months of placement will also be undertaken in PNG, including multiple trips to Paho Island and the Treaty Villages of PNG, which are highly remote locations that require overnight camping and transportation in small boats. There may also be an opportunity for placement alongside PNGBA officers in Port Moresby.

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For the PhD and postdoctoral positions that are already filled, see our projects.

Special PhD features to kickstart your career

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