PhD Research Opportunity – Public Policy for Carbon Upcycling and Australia’s Circular Economy
Job No.: 699402
Location: Clayton campus
Employment Type: Full-time
Duration: 3.5 years fixed-term appointment
Remuneration: The successful applicant will receive a Research Living Allowance, at current value of $41,100AUD per annum 2027 full-time rate (tax-free stipend), indexed plus allowances as per RTP stipend scholarship conditions at: www.monash.edu/graduate-research/study/scholarships/fees-scholarships/scholarship-policy-and-procedures. A tuition fee scholarship and Single Overseas Health Cover (OSHC) will be provided for a successful international awardee.
The Opportunity
Australia generates significant quantities of underutilised carbon waste, including agricultural residues, waste plastics and end-of-life tyres. These materials are often stockpiled, sent to landfill or exported, representing both an environmental challenge and an opportunity to develop new value-added products and more sustainable manufacturing pathways.
The ARC Research Hub for Value-Added Processing of Underutilised Carbon Waste (VAPUCW) is developing innovative technologies to transform these underutilised carbon resources into valuable products. The Hub brings together researchers across multiple disciplines and leading universities with industry partners to advance waste upcycling, improve technology readiness and support the transition towards a circular economy. This PhD opportunity will contribute to the Hub's research program, providing the successful candidate with the opportunity to undertake research in an interdisciplinary and industry-connected environment.
This PhD project contributes to the Hub’s research program and investigates policy frameworks required to accelerate Australia’s transition toward a circular economy, focusing on carbon upcycling and emerging chemical recycling technologies. Through comparative case studies, the project examines the systemic governance challenges and multi-sector policy mechanisms needed to operationalize circularity across domestic supply chains.
The successful candidate will be based in the School of Social Sciences under the supervision of Professor Jo Lindsay, AProf Martin Geissdoerfer and Prof Michael Mintrom and will have the opportunity to collaborate with researchers and industry partners across the ARC Research Hub.
Monash University is a leading global research and education institution known for turning ideas into real-world impact. It is a public research university and a member of Australia’s Group of Eight. Globally, it is ranked 31st. As the largest Australian university, Monash also has international campuses in Italy, China, India, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
Monash conducts world-class research in partnership with industry and leading institutions. Graduate researchers work on real-world challenges in a supportive environment with access to advanced facilities.
Candidate Requirements
We are seeking a candidate with a desirable experience in:
- A strong interest in sustainability transition governance and public policy
- Strong communication and problem-solving skills
- The ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary research team
In its assessment, the selection committee will prioritise applicants who hold an Australian (or equivalent international) Honour’s or Master’s degree (both in a relevant field), with a significant research component and with first-class honours/H1 awarded.
Details of eligibility requirements, including English-language proficiency skills, to undertake a PhD in the Faculty of Arts are available at www.monash.edu/arts/graduate_research/how-to-apply. Applicants should ensure they familiarise themselves with these requirements before deciding whether they should apply.
Scholarship holders must be enrolled full-time and on campus. Please note: applicants who already hold a PhD will not be considered.
The successful applicant will be expected to enrol by 1 February 2027. However, there may be some flexibility as to the date of commencement.
Enquiries
You are required to discuss your research proposal with Professor Jo Lindsay, Email: jo.lindsay@monash.edu before you submit an application.
How to Apply
- Applications shall comprise:
- A cover letter that includes a brief statement of the applicant’s suitability
- A draft Research Proposal that fits within the broad project aims and objectives, and demonstrates some understanding of the area of research
- A detailed curriculum vitae, including a list of any published works, conference presentations and relevant work experience
- A full statement of academic records, degree certificates and official grading system (if available), supported by scanned copies of relevant certified documentation
- English language proficiency test results (if applicable)
- Names and contact details of 2 academic referees
Once you have discussed your proposal with Professor Jo Lindsay, please submit your application via My.App and upload all supporting documentation in pdf format:
- Select Admission Only as the Application Type
- Select ‘Yes’ to indicate that you are applying for a scholarship for this research and enter “PhD Research Opportunity – Public Policy for Carbon Upcycling and Australia’s Circular Economy”
as the scholarship name under Research Program Funding of the application.
- Select Professor Jo Lindsay as the proposed main supervisor (final supervision arrangements to be confirmed upon appointment).
Application Close: Sunday 15 November 2026, 11:55 pm AEDT
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