Matthew Denton

Research

I lead several multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional projects related to enhancing farming systems productivity through improving crop, soil and microbial interactions. I am Director of the China-Australia Joint Laboratory for Soil Ecological Health and Remediation, supported by Shandong Academy of Sciences, Qilu University of Technology, the Department of Trade, Tourism and Investment of the South Australian Government, and The University of Adelaide, which enhances agricultural productivity through improved plant microbial management. I am a Chief Investigator of the Australian Research Council Industrial Transformation Research Hub 'Legumes for Sustainable Agriculture' which improves legume abiotic stress and nitrogen fixation, a project co-funded by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC). I lead an Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) project 'Management Practices for Profitable Crop-Livestock Systems in Cambodia and Lao PDR' which improves the integration of crop and livestock systems for some of the poorest farmers in SE Asia. I lead Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) projects to enhance legume productivity through improved inoculants and to provide farmers with improved management of nitrogen fertilisers. I have previously led projects in Myanmar and the Middle East.

Collaborations

In these projects I collaborate broadly with SARDI, CSIRO, University of Sydney, Murdoch University, University of Western Australia, Australian National University, University of Melbourne, DPIRD and others. Internationally, I collaborate with University of California Davis (UCD), Wageningen University and Research (WUR), Shandong Academy of Sciences, Qilu University of Technology (China), Cambodian Agricultural Research and Development Institute, Royal University of Agriculture (Cambodia), National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (Laos).

 Current projects include:

• China-Australia Joint Laboratory for Soil Ecological Health and Remediation, funded through Shandong Academy of Sciences, Qilu University of Technology, The the Department of Trade, Tourism and Investment of the South Australian Government, and The University of Adelaide
• Australian Research Council (ARC) Industrial Transformation Research Hub on Improving nitrogen fixation in legumes by understanding interactions among legumes, rhizobia and the soil microbiome, co-funded by GRDC - see http://www.legumehub.com/
• Improving nitrogen fertiliser decision-making by Australian farmers (GRDC)
• Enhancing profits of small-holder farmers in Cambodia and Laos through increased crop / livestock integration (ACIAR) - see https://www.aciar.gov.au/project/SMCN-2012-075 and previously https://www.aciar.gov.au/project/SMCN-2014-014
• Increasing productivity in legume-based farming systems in Myanmar (ACIAR) - see https://www.aciar.gov.au/project/SMCN-2011-047
• Improved farmer knowledge of nitrogen fixation by legume crops and pastures in Australia (GRDC) - resources on nodulation of legumes

PhD Scholarships

Domestic

University scholarships for Australian students are known as Australian Postgraduate Awards (APA). These scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and in designated areas of research strength within the University. If a student does not secure an APA, then the School of Physical Sciences considers the option of divisional scholarships (based on academic merit and budget limits). The University also offers a range of Scholarships for international students.

Application involves filling in the "application form for admission/scholarship".

When applying for domestic scholarships please remember to tick both the APA and Divisional box.  After the closing date, the Graduate Centre will forward your application to the School to consider. If an APA is not awarded then the school will consider offering a divisional scholarship.  Further details can be found at the scholarship websites http://www.adelaide.edu.au/scholarships/

International

International scholarships at the University of Adelaide are very competitive. Prospective PhD students who are highly motivated and have recognised English language skills (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/graduatecentre/forms/admission/docs/hdr-english-language-requirements-2017-2018.pdf), previous research experience and publications in internationally refereed journals should contact me to ensure that there are overlapping interests and availability for supervision. Further information on international PhD scholarships can be found here:  https://www.adelaide.edu.au/graduatecentre/scholarships/research-international/opportunities/

Postdoctoral Positions

For general postdoctoral scholarship applications see: Australian Research Council (ARC) http://www.arc.gov.au/ 

China - http://www.csc.edu.cn

Germany - http://www.daad.de

USA - http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5179&org=OISE&from=fund

EU residents - http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/fp6/mariecurie-actions/action/fellow_en.html

Japan - http://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-pd/ab.htm