This PhD scholarship at Monash University offers a unique opportunity to investigate the impacts of firm closures and layoffs on workers and families, focusing on the intersection of labour economics, health economics, industrial organisation, and public policy. The project aims to generate comprehensive, population-level evidence on how firms manage economic crises and how these responses affect health, employment, and wellbeing outcomes for individuals and families. Using linked employer–employee administrative data and advanced econometric methods, the research will produce insights relevant to labour-market policy, family services, and social protection systems.

The successful candidate will join the Centre for Health Economics, a leading research group within the Monash Business School in Melbourne, Australia. The Centre is renowned for its expertise in health economics and offers the largest Health Economics PhD program in Australia. As part of the CHE Integrated PhD Program, students receive rigorous training in advanced health economics, econometrics, and related studies. The program begins with one year of advanced coursework and research training, including a minor thesis packaged into a Master of Commerce (MCom) degree. Upon meeting the requirements, candidates progress to the PhD research stage, which typically takes three and a half years and culminates in a written thesis on the outlined topic.

Supervision will be provided by Associate Professor Sonja de New and Professor Dennis Petrie, with opportunities to collaborate with leading academics from the University of Melbourne, University of Michigan, and Free University of Amsterdam. The research team is highly collaborative, and students will benefit from domestic and international research visits and conference travel.

Applicants should have completed an Honours degree, a four-year Bachelor’s degree, or a Master’s degree with excellent results and a research component in economics, econometrics, or a related quantitative discipline. Strong empirical skills and an interest in applied economics, microeconometrics, labour economics, industrial organisation, health economics, or public policy are essential. Candidates from other quantitative fields such as data science, mathematical statistics, actuarial science, public health, or psychology are also encouraged to apply if they possess strong quantitative skills and an interest in causal inference. English language requirements apply as per Monash Business School guidelines.

The scholarship covers full tuition fees and provides a tax-free stipend of $39,000 AUD per annum, with up to $49,000 AUD per annum available for outstanding students. Additional financial support is offered through research and teaching assistance work. Graduates from the Centre for Health Economics have excellent employment prospects, with alumni securing positions at leading universities, consulting firms, and international organisations.

Applications are open for the program commencing in July/August 2026, with the deadline set for 1 February 2026. For application details, select 'Health Economics' as your area of specialisation and follow the Integrated PhD Program application process. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews with the supervisory team. For project-related enquiries, contact Associate Professor Sonja de New at [email protected]. For application procedure questions, contact [email protected].

Monash University is committed to supporting a diverse workforce and acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which its campuses are located.