The Next Generation Water Engineering and River Management Hub will develop solutions to the current and future problems threatening inland Australia’s waterways, including poor water quality and diminishing fish stocks.
The Hub Scholarships provide enhanced opportunities in science for outstanding graduates enrolling in a PhD at Charles Sturt University. The program is now looking for suitable applicants and up to three scholarships are available. The three potential research projects are:
- Mitigating Thermal Pollution within reservoirs
- Citizen Science: Integrating community groups into basin-scale fish tagging and recovery programs
- First Nations water rights, management, and engineering
Project: First Nations water rights, management, and engineering
Indigenous water management and engineering is complex and has history of over 40,000 years. Drawing on archival research and comparative analysis of water catchment restoration projects internationally, this project will examine the socio-cultural and environmental complexity and benefits of First Nations water rights, management and stewardship, and engineering systems. This research will also include identification of traditional and contemporary water management and engineering practices approved by Elders in a significant river restoration project. The student would be unconstrained by topic and could explore any significant line of inquiry in consultation with their supervisors.
The focus of the PhD will be developed and refined through a co-design approach between the members of the research team. This team includes the PhD candidate, First Nations Elders, CSU researchers, industry partners such as Oz Fish, and First Nation peoples who are experts in this field.
For more information review the First Nations water rights, management, and engineering information sheet.
Eligibility
As per Charles Sturt University’s standard eligibility requirements for entry to a PhD.
Essential: First Class Honours or a Masters degree with a research component or many years’ experience in research with a strong track record of publication.
First Nations water rights, management, and engineering
The opportunity is only open to Australian citizens, Australian residents or those eligible to study in Australia under the commonwealth research training program.
Desirable: a background in Critical Indigenous Studies and or Indigenous knowledges and or environmental history; willingness to adopt Indigenous and Indigenist theories and methodologies; excellent writing and communication skills; an interest in the subject matter, and enthusiastic about working in a dynamic transdisciplinary environment.
Award value
The scholarship provides the following benefits:
Stipend: This scholarship is valued at $28,854 – $35,000 per annum payable in fortnightly instalments.
Tuition Fees:
Domestic candidates: Fee exemption for a period equivalent to four years (eight sessions) for PhD at full-time study.
International candidates: Fee exemption for a period equivalent to three years (six sessions) for PhD at full-time study.
Operating Funds: Operational expenses will be built into the overall Next Generation Water and Engineering Hub budget over three years.
Scholarship duration
Domestic candidates:
The scholarship is tenable for four years for Research Doctorate studies (4 years FTE tuition fee coverage and 3 years FTE for stipend and operating funds allowances) subject to satisfactory progress.
An extension of up to six months may be granted (stipend and operating funds components only), where the candidate is making satisfactory progress and the grounds for the extension relate to the study and are beyond the control of the candidate.
International candidates:
The scholarship is tenable for three years for Research Doctorate studies subject to satisfactory progress.
An extension of up to six months may be granted, where the candidate is making satisfactory progress and the grounds for the extension relate to the study and are beyond the control of the candidate.
Scholarship candidates are entitled to 20 paid annual leave working days per year and 10 paid sick leave days per year, however are not eligible for paid primary parental care leave or additional personal leave.
How to apply
Applicants will need to apply for enrolment.
Prospective Higher Degree by Research candidates can apply for a Next Generation Water and Engineering Hub Scholarship when completing their Charles Sturt course admission application. When given the option to apply for a scholarship select ‘Yes’; ‘Full-time AGRTP’ and ‘Other’. Under ‘Other’ enter Next Generation Water and Engineering Hub Project 1, 2 or 3.
In addition to the documentation required as part of the AGRTP Scholarship application, applicants will need to send an expression interest (including a full CV and a brief cover letter of no more than two pages) outlining your experience and research interests to:
Project 3: First Nations water rights, management, and engineering
Professor Lee Baumgartner [email protected] and Dr Peta Jeffries [email protected]
Application timelines
Expressions of interest will remain open until a candidate has been selected
Contacts:
First Nations water rights, management, and engineering:
Dr Peta Jeffries [email protected] and Professor Lee Baumgartner [email protected]
