Global Excellence and Mobility Scholarship (GEMS)

The PhD Global Excellence and Mobility Scholarship (GEMS 2026) at Monash University Malaysia offers an exciting research opportunity focused on AI-driven adaptive mobility for resilient transport in flood-prone urban river basins. As climate change increases the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, urban areas face significant challenges in maintaining mobility during intense rainfall and riverine flooding. These disruptions impact personal travel, supply chains, public transport, and access to critical services, with low-income and transport-disadvantaged populations being most affected.

This interdisciplinary project aims to develop community-led adaptive mobility plans to manage and plan transport flows during severe road disruptions. A key innovation is the integration of flood vulnerability assessment directly into transportation simulations, using local rainfall patterns, land use configurations, and climate change projections to model flood depth, extent, and duration. The research will identify at-risk road segments and critical mobility corridors, ensuring equitable and accessible evacuation by combining local knowledge with dynamic digital mapping to create context-specific evacuation paths for vehicles, pedestrians, and other road users.

The project is part of Monash University Malaysia’s Graduate Research Thematic Cluster, CLIMATE-POSITIVE CITIES, which promotes urban transformation through interdisciplinary collaboration. The successful candidate will join a vibrant research environment and benefit from Monash University’s global network of expertise and infrastructure. The GEMS scholarship provides full funding, including tuition and stipend, and supports an immersive year at Monash University Australia, Monash University Indonesia, or the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay for up to 9 months.

Applicants should have a strong background in transportation engineering or operational research, with experience in transport modelling, big data analysis, programming, and AI optimization considered advantageous. Analytical skills, scientific curiosity, and the ability to work collaboratively across disciplines are essential. An interest in smart, resilient, and sustainable mobility within the ASEAN context is highly desirable. Eligibility requires a First Class Honours (H1) or its equivalence (H1E) recognised by Monash University Malaysia and satisfaction of English language requirements.

To apply, candidates are encouraged to contact Dr Susi Susilawati with their academic background and achievements to determine fit for the research topic. If suitable, applications should be submitted via the provided link, selecting the Global Excellence and Mobility Scholarship (GEMS) and entering the advertised research topic. The application submission guide provides further details on requirements and procedures. The deadline for applications is July 31, 2026.

This opportunity is ideal for motivated students seeking to contribute to climate-positive urban transformation and resilient transport systems through advanced AI and modelling techniques.