PhD Scholarship: Resource-Efficient Households, Policy Design and Inequality in Sustainability Transitions
This PhD scholarship at Monash University offers an exciting opportunity to investigate how public policies shape resource-efficient living among diverse households, with a particular focus on social inequalities and sustainability transitions. The project is part of the Australian Research Council Discovery Project ‘Empowering households in resource-efficient sustainability transitions’, a collaboration between Monash University, RMIT, and the University of Manchester. The successful candidate will join the Sustainability Transitions Lab (STL) within Monash Business School, an interdisciplinary research environment dedicated to societal transformations towards sustainability.
Supervised by Professor Rob Raven (Sustainability Transitions Lab, Monash Business School) and Professor Jo Lindsay (School of Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts), the PhD student will be integrated into a broader collaborative research team, engaging with scholars nationally and internationally. The research will focus on policies and programs across energy, water, waste, and food systems, examining their design, implementation, and impact on households in Victoria. Using in-depth comparative case study research, the project aims to map and analyse key policy initiatives, examine interactions between policies and household diversity, identify mechanisms shaping participation in sustainability transitions, and generate insights for more equitable and effective policy pathways.
This position is particularly suited to candidates interested in producing empirically grounded research that informs real-world policy and governance, while advancing interdisciplinary theory on the role of households in sustainability transitions. The research environment offers opportunities for collaboration with partners in the UK and engagement with experts in sustainability transitions, consumption, policy design, urban governance, and inequality.
Funding is provided through the Australian Research Council scholarship, with a stipend at the Monash rate ($37,145 per annum) and an additional Monash Business School top-up of $2,000 per annum. The appointment is full-time for 3.5 years, subject to satisfactory progress. Applicants must demonstrate valid and current Australian working rights and have a background in sustainability transitions, sociology, human geography, public policy, or a related social science field. Essential skills include experience or strong interest in qualitative and/or comparative research methods, and strong analytical and writing skills. Evidence of English language proficiency is required where applicable. Desirable skills include familiarity with energy, water, food, or waste policy domains, experience with Multicriteria Mapping, interest in interdisciplinary research, and experience working with policy actors or in applied research contexts.
The application process involves two stages: first, submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) via email to Mae Wee, including a CV, certified academic transcripts, evidence of English proficiency, and a cover letter outlining your interest, proposed research questions, and relevant background. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview and then submit a formal PhD application to the Faculty of Business and Economics. The deadline for applications is Tuesday, 30 April 2026, 11:55pm AEDT.
For further enquiries, contact Professor Rob Raven at [email protected]. This opportunity supports a diverse workforce and encourages applications from candidates with a range of backgrounds and experiences.
