PhD in Plastic Pollution: Plastisphere Mobilome, Socioeconomic-Technological Perspectives, and Environmental Justice at RMIT University
RMIT University is inviting applications for
PhD students
to work on
plastic pollution
projects at the
RMIT Centre for Nature Positive Solutions
in Melbourne, Australia.
The call covers multiple research directions, and candidates may also propose their own project ideas. The advertised themes include:
Plastisphere Mobilome
(horizontal gene transfer, microbial adaptation, biogeochemical perturbation, multi-omics, DOM, FTICR-MS, UHPLC, microsensors),
Plastic pollution: a socioeconomic-technological perspective
(recycling, alternative financing, policy, public awareness, NDCs, emerging technologies), and
Plastic pollution and environmental justice
(plastic governance, qualitative methods, just transitions, community impacts, and equity).
The projects are supervised/announced by
Tanveer Adyel
, Senior Lecturer and ARC DECRA Fellow at RMIT University, whose research spans environmental science, environmental engineering, plastic pollution, wetlands, freshwater ecosystems, and soil. The broader centre is multidisciplinary and works on climate change, pollution, biodiversity, and sustainability.
This is a
PhD scholarship
opportunity. The post states that successful candidates may receive an annual stipend of about
AUD 36,245 tax-free
, a
tuition fee waiver
for up to
3.5 years
, Overseas Student Health Cover subject to eligibility, a laptop, and small research funds.
Eligibility highlights include a
Master’s or Honours degree
in a related field, strong communication skills, and the ability to work independently. Preferred backgrounds include environmental science/engineering, ecology, microbiology, genetics, soil science, economics, climate science, development studies, social science, cultural geography, and related areas. The post also mentions IELTS/TOEFL/PTE scores where applicable and academic transcripts.
Applications are handled by
expression of interest (EOI)
to
[email protected]
. Required materials include a short cover letter, detailed CV with two academic referees, a short self-recorded video describing motivation and research fit, language test score where applicable, and transcripts. EOIs are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Deadline information in the attached flyer indicates
31 August 2026 for domestic students
and
30 August 2026 for international students
for EOI, with full application deadlines later in September/October 2026 after endorsement.
