Are you passionate about environmental science, chemistry, or wine research? This is a great opportunity to study for a PhD with a funded scholarship at the University of Adelaide.

The project focuses on understanding how smoke affects the quality of wine grapes and aims to help vineyard owners detect damage earlier, reducing losses and improving wine production in Australia.
This scholarship is funded by an Australian Research Council (ARC) Industry Fellowship grant, and it runs for 3.5 years.
The research will be conducted at the School of Agriculture, Food and Wine at the University of Adelaide in collaboration with industry leaders like CSIRO and the Australian Wine Research Institute.
University of Adelaide ARC Industry Fellowship PhD Scholarship 2025 Summary
Details | Information |
Applications Open | Open now |
Applications Close | 27 September 2025 |
Payment per Year | $42,000 AUD |
Duration | 3.5 years |
Program | PhD |
Degree | Postgraduate Research |
Citizenship | Australian Citizens |
Scholarship Type | Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders, Academic, Disability, Supplementary (Partially Funded) |
Available In | Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology (SET) |
Available To | Future Students |
About the Project
Title: Decoding airborne volatiles in environmental smoke that taint wine
Smoke from bushfires and other burns releases harmful chemicals that can get absorbed by grapes, ruining wine quality. So far, Australia’s wine industry has lost over $1.4 billion in grape damage over 20 years. This research project will develop new ways to detect smoke damage early—before harvest—saving time and money for winegrowers.
The PhD student will:
- Develop new testing tools to detect smoke compounds.
- Work in labs and real vineyard settings.
- Partner with research institutions and industry experts.
- Help build commercial tools and sensors for real-world use.
Eligibility Requirements
To apply, you must:
- Be an Australian citizen.
- Be eligible for PhD admission at the University of Adelaide.
- Not have completed a PhD before.
- Be able to start the program in 2025.
- Enrol full-time (part-time may be considered in special cases).
- Be willing to work at the approved research locations.
Preferred Skills and Experience
- A First-Class Honours or Master’s degree in Chemistry or Environmental Science.
- Experience with analytical chemistry (especially GC-MS techniques).
- Strong communication and problem-solving skills.
- Some knowledge of Python or R for data analysis is helpful.
- Interest or background in wine or atmospheric chemistry is a bonus.
How to Apply for the University of Adelaide ARC Industry Fellowship PhD Scholarship 2025
Submit your Expression of Interest by email to: mango.parker@awri.com.au
(Use the scholarship name as your email subject)
Required documents:
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Degree certificates & academic transcripts
- English translations (if needed)
- A 2-page research proposal written by you
- A cover letter explaining:
- Why you’re eligible
- Your interest/experience in chemistry and smoke analysis
- Your communication skills and motivation
- Your ability to work independently and with teams
For more details about the scholarship and application process, visit the official website here.
Note: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. This means the scholarship could be awarded before the official deadline—apply as early as possible!
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