3Rivers Doctoral Network

Monash University’s Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture (MADA) is advertising two fully funded PhD scholarships in the 3Rivers Doctoral Network for research on climate-resilient urban transformations in the Asia-Pacific. The opportunity sits within the Monash Informal Cities Lab and Transforming Cities Hub, building on long-running Living Lab research through RISE and CARP.

The PhD projects are practice-based and interdisciplinary, connecting architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, urban planning, and allied fields with real-world sites and partners. Research will focus on how climate adaptation and equitable urban transformation can be implemented and scaled in rapidly urbanising river basins across Indonesia, Malaysia, and India.

Expressions of Interest are invited across four interconnected lines of inquiry: participatory design, system sustainability (including operations and maintenance of decentralised infrastructure), scaling solutions for impact, and building climate resilience at watershed scale. Example topics include nature-based solutions for wastewater and watershed management, settlement upgrading in climate-vulnerable contexts, circular economy and waste-to-resource systems, distributed and decentralised infrastructure, and adaptive planning pathways under multiple climate scenarios.

The scholarships are fully funded and include a tax-free living allowance of $37,145 per annum for 3.5 years plus a tuition fee waiver. International students should note that flights, relocation costs, and OSHC are not covered. Successful candidates will join an international, multidisciplinary cohort and may have opportunities for sessional teaching.

Eligibility highlights include a First-Class Honours or Master’s degree in a relevant field, strong analytical and research skills, design or creative-practice research capability, interest in interdisciplinary and field-based research in the Asia-Pacific, and excellent English communication skills. Applicants must meet Monash PhD admission requirements and enrol full-time on campus.

The closing date is 26 May 2026, 11:55pm AEST. Applications are submitted as a single Expression of Interest by email to [email protected] with transcripts, English-language evidence if applicable, CV, portfolio, academic writing sample, and a research proposal. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed via Zoom in English.