Expressions of interest are open for domestic PhD scholarships at The University of Queensland, Griffith University, and University of Technology Sydney.

Top Benefits

• $35,000 - $50,000 tax free per annum (for 3 years) + industry internship

• Real-world impact with industry collaboration with 28 partners spanning the water sector, industry and government

• Strongly transdisciplinary with Academic and Industry partners bridging policy, social science and governance, as well as highly technical centralised and decentralised water systems issues

• Active involvement in a national community of practice, advanced Training Program, and collaborative Design Challenge for specific sites

• Career pathway advancement with professional development, mentoring and participation in our award-winning design challenges

The Opportunity

The ARC Training Centre for Climate-Resilient Water is recruiting domestic PhD candidates to join a national research program addressing critical water challenges in a changing climate. (international expressions of interest will open August 2026)

This is a unique opportunity to undertake a PhD as part of a multi-institution, industry-connected cohort, focused on delivering real-world impact. Candidates will work with leading researchers and industry partners to co-design solutions in a globally leading training centre.

Our research themes span social and physical sciences:

Theme A - Collaborative Governance led by Professor Kelly Fielding (UQ) answers: How do we transform our social and regulatory systems to enable adaptive climate-resilient water options to become mainstream?

Theme B - Reliable Water led by A/Professor Gilda Carvalho (UQ) answers: How do we transform large supply systems to be more reliable given far greater climatic extremes, at less energy cost?

Theme C - Future Water Precincts: led by Professor Rodney Stewart (Griffith University) answers: How do we transform planning to create new localised resilient water supply, energy-positive precincts and systems at least cost and with greatest benefits?

Scholarships are available at The University of Queensland, Griffith University, and University of Technology Sydney.

See our website for information on our vision, research themes, projects, and people: https://climateresilientwater.org

About you

Be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or Australian permanent resident and meet Australian university entry requirements.

Hold (or expect to complete) Honours or Master’s degree with research component

Have a background or experience in:

o   Environmental engineering

o   Hydrology and water resources

o   Environmental science (including environmental social science)

o   Urban planning

o   Economics

o   Public policy and governance

o   Data science

o   Sustainability transitions

o   Decision making

o   Community engagement and participation

Are motivated to work on applied, impact-driven research

First Nations applicants are encouraged to apply

International students currently completing a course are eligible to apply in the current domestic PhD round

How to apply

Submit your expression of interest via email: cli••••••••••••••••••@uq.edu.au with the following documents. Please don't apply through the 'quick apply' button.

·       Targeted covering letter (how your experience aligns with our vision)

·       Academic transcripts (for both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees)

·       Academic Curriculum Vitae 

·       Evidence of English language proficiency 

Important dates

·       Expressions of interest close: 6 July 2026

·       Interviews: July 2026

·       University scholarship closing date: September 2026

·       Commencement: February 2027

For more information, please visit: https://climateresilientwater.org and navigate to the PhD scholarship page, or email us: cli••••••••••••••••••@uq.edu.au