Do you want to contribute to the development of sustainable Asian cities?

Are you interested in interdisciplinary research in urban water management?

Engineering, Social Science & Interdisciplinary PhD scholarships in sustainable urban water
management in developing Asian cities – background information for applicants

Eleven (11) scholarships are available to undertake full-time research study toward a PhD through a
new initiative of Monash University, the Graduate Research Interdisciplinary Program (GRIP), as part
of the interdisciplinary centre Monash Water for Liveability. Candidates will be principally associated
with the Department of Civil Engineering or School of Social Sciences at Monash University, with
joint placement for socio-technical (interdisciplinary) research projects. The centre plays a pivotal role
in providing new knowledge and practice for enhancing resilience to current and future urban water
challenges, through research excellence, engagement with industry, and liaison with government to
support policy development.

The aim of this initiative is to support a dedicated doctoral cohort that will contribute to the
leapfrogging of Asian Cities to more sustainable, resilient and liveable conditions through the
uptake of state of the art water technologies, policy development and societal practices through the
translation and advancement of context-specific solutions.

Each PhD candidate will undertake research into integrated urban water management, to broadly
enhance understanding of socio-technical innovations and leapfrogging capacity of developing Asian
cities. Studies will consider such challenges as climate change, poverty and population growth in
relation to the adoption of sustainable technologies. Water recycling, conservation and waterway
health are essential for sustainable water futures and more liveable and resilient places and
communities. There is a significant role for both engineering and social science disciplines to
contribute new knowledge on facilitating radical transitions in the urban water sector.

Candidates will also have the opportunity to participate in closely aligned United Nations led
initiatives including the:

 ‘Australia/Pacific Regional Sustainable Development Solutions Network Centre’, ,

focussed on promising technologies, business models, institutional mechanisms, policies and
combinations thereof that can have a transformative impact on sustainable development, can
be scaled up following a successful demonstration, are technically feasible, and are unproven
and not yet commercially viable. The Solutions Network will address three common barriers
inhibiting the deployment of such solutions: lack of awareness outside a narrow technical
community; high transaction costs, and long decision times, and
 ‘Basic Urban Services’ program of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme,
UN-Habitat, is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and
environmentally sustainable towns and cities. In 2013, UN-Habitat commissioned the
preparation of a Strategy Paper for its role in urban drainage. The resultant strategy paper
identified the Urban Water Management Transitions Framework, developed at Monash

Monash Water for Liveability,

Building 74 (Monash Sustainability Institute)
Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC 3800
ph: (03) 9905 9709 email: watersensitivecities@monash.edu
website: www.waterforliveabilty.org.au
 University, as a potential tool to provide an entry point for the work of the Agency in moving
towards more socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities, from a sustainable
urban water management perspective. www.unhabitat.org

Location: Candidates will be coordinated through ‘Monash Water for Liveability’ Centre and
provided additional support by a number of other organisational units at Monash collaborating to
support the success of this initiative including: Monash Sustainability Institute, Australian Centre for
Indonesia Studies, Faculty of Engineering and Faculty of Arts of Monash University, Clayton
campus, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Stipend: $25,392 per annum (non-taxable, indexed annually)

Duration: The candidates are expected to enrol full-time, commence anytime between July and
December 2014 and, complete within 3 years (with the option of a 6 month extension).

Purpose: This PhD cohort initiative is designed to provide an alternative, innovative, engaging
research training environment for candidates undertaking doctoral studies at Monash University.
Through interdisciplinary research and industry engagement, it encourages cross-disciplinary
collaboration and the development of transferable research and practice-based skills, leading to
cutting-edge rewards for future research leaders and captains of industry.

The objectives of this doctoral training cohort initiative include:

 making significant breakthroughs in interdisciplinary research in relevant areas of
engineering, social science and socio-technical research
 advancing disciplinary-based inquiry in engineering and social science research to support
interdisciplinary breakthroughs
 building capacity within Australia to take global leadership in addressing the transition of
neighbouring Asian cities towards more liveable, sustainable and resilient conditions, and
 providing support for some of the most vulnerable communities in the Asian region

Benefits: It is expected that there will be a range of benefits to individual candidates through actively
participating in this PhD cohort model such as: fostering innovative research from multiple
perspectives, interdisciplinary problem-solving, collaboration with and exposure to different
methodologies, and learning new techniques or fields of knowledge from related disciplines
(engineering and social science). Further benefits includes a unique platforms for preparing graduates
for multiple career paths, with skills and knowledge to address systemic challenges; enhancing
candidates industry links while aligning their skill development with industry needs; and encouraging
candidates to engage with local developing communities and multiple modes of learning. Applicants
will work with internationally recognised leaders and research groups on urban water management,
and gain unique opportunities to develop research links with industry partners in the water sector.

The core academic units involved include the Department of Civil Engineering of Faculty of
Engineering and the School of Social Sciences within the Faculty of Arts, with collaboration
facilitated by Monash Water for Liveability and Australia’s national Cooperative Research Centre for
Water Sensitive Cities based at Monash University. Program leaders are Professor Ana Deletic
(Department of Civil Engineering) and Professor Rebekah Brown (School of Social Sciences), both
Directors of Monash Water for Liveability. Prof Deletic leads engineering research in integrated
urban water management, focusing on socio-technical modelling and in particular stormwater
management. Prof Brown leads social science and interdisciplinary socio-technical research exploring
the policy and community dimensions of water governance, management and practice with a

Monash Water for Liveability,

Building 74 (Monash Sustainability Institute)
Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC 3800
ph: (03) 9905 9709 email: watersensitivecities@monash.edu
website: www.waterforliveabilty.org.au
particular focus on innovation and socio-technical transitions. Both have collaborated extensively in
this field and have led the emergence of the new area of socio-technical research in water resources.
They also lead a large number of national and international research projects and collaborations
spanning many nations including Singapore, Israel, Austria, The Netherlands, Israel, China, USA,
France, Vanuatu and the UK.

Eligibility: Applications are sought from students with a HI (first class or equivalent) degree in a
range of relevant disciplinary areas such as, but not limited to, engineering, social science, economics,
law, geography, and environmental science. Applicants should meet the University’s English
Language Proficiency requirements
(http://www.monash.edu.au/migr/apply/eligibility/english/faculty-requirements/index.html)

Selection Criteria: Potential candidates will be selected on the basis of:

o Relevant educational and research background (essential)
o Academic excellence (essential)
o A desire to contribute to an interdisciplinary scientific environment (essential)
o A strong interest to working in developing-world contexts (essential)
o A passion for addressing complex and practical problems (preferred)
o Relevant previous research experience (preferred)

To apply, please email a cover letter explaining your interest in this research (addressing selection
criteria) along with your CV, certified Academic Transcripts and contact details (name, position,
email address) of two academic referees familiar with your studies, to the following staff:
o For the Engineering scholarships: louise.krol@monash.edu
o For the Social Science scholarships: jennifer.edwards@monash.edu

Deadline for the application to be received is 30th June 2014.

Enquiries should be emailed to either:

o Professor Rebekah Brown: rebekah.brown@monash.edu for Social Sciences
o Professor Ana Deletic: ana.deletic@monash.edu for Engineering

Websites:
Monash Water for Liveability: http://www.waterforliveability.org.au/
Monash Sustainability Institute: http://monash.edu/sustainability-institute/
Department of Civil Engineering: http://www.eng.monash.edu.au/civil/
School of Social Sciences: http://artsonline.monash.edu.au/social-sciences/
Monash Research Degrees: http://www.mrgs.monash.edu.au
Tuition-fee scholarships: http://sci.monash.edu/postgrad/fhits.html
Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities: http: www.watersensitivecities.org.au/

Monash Water for Liveability,

Building 74 (Monash Sustainability Institute)
Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC 3800
ph: (03) 9905 9709 email: watersensitivecities@monash.edu
website: www.waterforliveabilty.org.au