Project Summary
We are seeking a committed PhD candidate who is enthusiastic about working in a cross-disciplinary team spanning climate science, fire risk and hydrological extremes. This project aims to understand how rapid shifts between dry and wet conditions (“climate whiplash”) influence future fire and flood risk. There are many potential directions within the project, but a key focus is on identifying the environmental conditions that precondition landscapes for extreme events, and developing tools to better anticipate these high‐risk periods under a changing climate.
Degrees Available for this project
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Available Scholarships
The successful applicant will receive a stipend of $39,500 AUD per year (tax-free), plus an additional $5,000 per year top-up scholarship from the Faculty of Science’s Cross-Disciplinary Research Scholarship Program. Some research and travel support will also be provided. PhD candidatures run for 3.5 years full time, offering considerable intellectual freedom and opportunities to present findings at international conferences.
Stipend Amount
AUD 44,500 p.a. pro rata
Project Details
You will join a cross-disciplinary team spanning climate science, fire risk and hydrological extremes, based in the School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (Dr Linden Ashcroft, Dr Mandy Freund), with collaborators in the School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences (A/Prof Hamish Clarke) and the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology’s Hydrological Processes research group (Dr Keirnan Fowler). The position will commence by October 2026.
Essential skills:
- Willingness to work across disciplines and adopt a holistic, systems-based perspective
- Strong communication skills
- Strong quantitative skills
- Experience with data analysis (e.g. Python, R, MATLAB)
Interested candidates with a background in climate or atmospheric science, physical sciences, environmental science, hydrology, ecology, or a related field should email mandy.freund@unimelb.edu.au by 30 June 2026 with:
- a brief Expression of Interest (max 1 page)
- CV highlighting data analysis skills (max 2 pages)
- academic transcripts
- contact details of up to three referees
There will be an interview process, and the successful candidate will be guided through the University of Melbourne PhD application process thereafter.
We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and encourage applications from underrepresented groups.
Anticipated project start date
Fri Oct 30 2026
Offered by
School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (D), Faculty of Science
Location
Parkville
