Massey University’s College of Sciences successfully secured funding for four of the 24 ADS projects, and applications for PhD students are now being sought. Applications close 19 January 2026 and will be advertised on FindaPhD.com. Students can start their doctorate anytime, but it is expected they will be in place by June 2026.
The Massey-led projects are:
- Building a Fundamental Understanding of Factors Affecting Efficiency of Supercritical UV
- Considering the Meat Quality Question to Facilitate Coldstore Energy Reduction
- Enabling a More Sustainable Energy Future Through Silvopastoral Systems in Aotearoa New Zealand
- Seasonal Thermal Energy Storage to Achieve Energy Equity in New Zealand
College of Sciences Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Ray Geor says that Massey's position as an applied science university, sets these students up for success in their chosen fields.
“We have a long tradition at Massey, almost a century, of experience working collaboratively with industry. Our lead areas of expertise in agriculture, animal science, veterinary science and food technology, as well as construction and the digital sciences, makes us a logical choice for these types of projects. Working at the intersections of different scientific points of view, as well as the need to find solutions to the critical issues of our time such as the impact of climate change, food and water security and energy sources, are critically important. I am delighted to see these projects be included in the first round of scholarships.”
The four Massey-led projects exemplify the diversity of research undertaken at Massey and are included in our research efforts towards the United Nations Global Sustainable Development Goals.
Novolabs will host a Massey PhD student to examine the parameters that impact on the disinfection of liquids such as wastewaters, liquid food and beverages to support our food industry production to make our food safer and protect our environment. Another is a collaborative project between two leading areas at Massey – agriculture and food technology – working alongside the Meat Industry Association, where the student will examine the cold distribution chain, ways to store frozen meat products and try to reduce energy consumption, whilst also examining the resulting effects on the sensory attributes of the product.
To support Aotearoa New Zealand’s desire to become net zero carbon, our agriculture team are examining different pasture systems, their response to climate changes and potentially supply an ongoing biofuel source. With our Life Cycle Assessment expertise at Massey, the PhD student will examine the carbon footprint trade-offs, identify societal and socio-economic drivers for the change, as well as explore Emissions Trading Scheme implications, working alongside Verdi New Zealand.
The fourth project will join our construction and built environment expertise on our Ōtehā Auckland campus to explore better ways of keeping kiwi homes warm in winter. This project will explore efficient ways to heat and cool homes using natural materials. This is a new technology, and the PhD student will work with Sustainable Engineering Ltd to examine simulations that they will model on their return to Massey, with the hope of contributing new information as to how this technology can be commercialised at large scale, and with cost or efficiency benefits.
The national programme is collaboratively hosted by Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University, Waipapa Taumata Rau University of Auckland, Te Herenga Waka Victoria University and Ōtāko Whakaihu Waka University of Otago.
Potential domestic doctoral students from all Aotearoa New Zealand universities can apply, as well as students currently overseas, with an initial intake of 30 students annually. Over five years the cohort will grow to 150 doctoral students.
The scheme will draw on the expertise of each of the universities’ commercialisation teams and nationwide industry innovation programmes, the New Zealand Product Accelerator and Return on Science and Momentum.