ANU PhD positions available in social science and policy of the transition to green iron and steel making 

Applications are open for PhD roles to contribute to a new research initiative on decarbonising global steel making value chains, with a particular focus on Australia-China links. 

Area of Research 

These PhD positions are being offered under a new ANU program of research on the decarbonisation of the global steel sector, linked to the Zero-Carbon Energy for the Asia-Pacific (ZCEAP), ANU grand challenge initiative. The program is led by Prof. Frank Jotzo and Dr Jorrit Gosens and sits with the Centre for Climate and Energy Policy at the ANU Crawford School of Public Policy. PhDs for the project can potentially be in the fields of resource and environmental management, public policy, or economics. PhD candidates will benefit from being part of a broad portfolio of research on green iron & steel at the ANU, including in policy, economics, and engineering aspects. 

The PhD scholars will contribute to the initiative through the development of modelling and/or the analysis of policy of the required changes and the potential effects of a fully decarbonised steel making sector. The PhD scholars are expected to focus on one of the following research areas: 

• cost optimal technology pathways to decarbonised steel making in China and globally 

• local economic effects in Australia and/or China of different trajectories to decarbonised steel making 

• policy options and their feasibility to encourage accelerated transitions to decarbonised steel making in China and globally 

• industry perspectives and barriers to decarbonised steelmaking 

• where the PhD scholar seeks to work on model development, this can be with a range of different model types, including optimisation models, CGE models, IAM, etc. 

The PhD scholar will be expected to align their work with the program’s activities and objectives, and develop and carry out a project that aligns with the broader purpose of the initiative: identification of the technology, policy and diplomacy pathways to decarbonising the Chinese steel sector with Australian green iron. 

Eligibility 

Please read important information about PhD roles in ANU Crawford School of Public Policy: 

• having achieved an Honours degree (first class or upper second class honours as a minimum) or a Master degree with a research component or equivalent from a recognised university, in a relevant discipline/field, with proven publication record an advantage;  

• Developing a PhD proposal, following a process of engagement with a potential supervisor 

• meeting the University's English Language Admission Requirements for Students 

• Be able to commence the program as indicated below. 

Admission to this program is on a competitive basis, and will consider suitability for the specific program of research. Please note that meeting all admission requirements does not guarantee a scholarship offer.   

Expression of interest and applications  

Interested applicants should get in touch with us as soon as possible to discuss potential topics and supervisor, to seek input on a research proposal and to explore scholarship options. 

For your initial expression of interest, contact Dr Jorrit Gosens (jorrit.gosens@anu.edu.au). Make sure to include a CV, your academic transcripts, and describe your interests and aspirations incl. with a short (1 page) description of suggested research. 

Further instructions on how to apply, including the application form, can be found on the Crawford PhD programs webpage. 

Applications for the PhD program can be submitted at any time, however, to be considered for the majority of scholarship options see deadlines below. Any application needs to be preceded by a substantive process of engagement with project researchers and a potential supervisor.  

Scholarships 

Several scholarship options are potentially available, and we will advise highly prospective candidates of suitable options.  

These could include the Australian Government Research Training Program (AGRTP) Stipend Scholarship, the ANU-China Scholarship Council (ANU-CSC) Scholarship, a Heavy Industry Low-carbon Transition Cooperative Research Centre (HILT-CRC) scholarship or top-up, or an ANU PhD Scholarship funded by the project described here. We will recommend which scholarship to apply for when we have reviewed your profile and suggested research topic.  

The scholarship duration is for 3.5 years (or 4 years for the ANU-CSC scholarship) and cover: 

• Living allowance: A$ 36,652 per year (indexed annually) 

• Tuition fee waivers 

• Relocation allowance:  up to A$ 2,500 

• Separate option for an additional, project based top up scholarships of up to A$ 12,000 per year  

• Conference and research travel expense covered by the initiative 

• For international applicants: overseas health cover and dependent child allowance 

Key dates 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and we therefore welcome applications at any time. Application deadlines for the various scholarships are listed below. Applicants are encouraged to contact at least about six weeks before these deadlines to allow for discussion and development of the research proposal.  

Relevant application deadlines are: 

• AGRTP, for domestic applicants: 31 October 2024 (for commencement between January and March 2025) 

• AGRTP, for international applicants: 15 April 2025 (for commencement by August 2025) 

• ANU-CSC Scholarship, for Chinese citizens only: 1 December 2024 (for commencement by October 2025) 

• HILT-CRC Scholarship, for domestic applicants only: ongoing until filled 

• ANU PhD Scholarship, for domestic and international applicants: ongoing until filled