University of Melbourne PhD Scholarship

Fully funded PhD opportunity at the University of Melbourne focused on smart stormwater grids, urban hydrology, environmental economics, and environmental engineering.

The project is part of an Australian Research Council Industry Laureate Fellowship in partnership with Melbourne Water and is based at Burnley Campus, Melbourne. The research aims to develop and evaluate Australia’s first real-time controlled “smart rainwater tank grid” to improve urban waterway health, reduce stormwater impacts, and support ecological outcomes, including protection of platypus habitat in Monbulk Creek.

You may work on hydrological and flood modelling, statistical and spatial analysis, environmental and economic modelling, smart infrastructure and real-time control systems, and ecological/stormwater outcome assessment. The project sits within the Waterway Ecosystem Research Group (WERG) and offers a multidisciplinary environment spanning hydrology, ecology, engineering, economics, and smart infrastructure.

Funding: fully funded PhD scholarship with a $39,500 p.a. tax-free stipend, plus operating funds, for 4 years full-time.

Eligibility: Honours (H1 or 2A) or Masters in Engineering, Hydrology, Environmental Science, Economics, Mathematics, or a related field. Strong communication skills are required. Desirable skills include hydrological/flood modelling, R, Python, GIS, and cost-benefit analysis. Open to Australian and New Zealand applicants, with outstanding international applicants also considered.

How to apply: Submit a CV with referees, academic transcripts, a cover letter, and a brief statement addressing the selection criteria. Applications are reviewed as they are received until the position is filled. Contact Dr Matthew Burns for enquiries.