Low Carbon Transition in the Australian Energy Sector

A global low carbon energy transition is underway. This is evident in the increasing cost competitiveness of renewable energy, over-supply in coal, gas and oil markets, a growing social movement promoting divestment from fossil fuels, and national commitments to the Paris climate agreement.


You will have the opportunity to be involved in a cross-institutional project that addresses a critical national challenge – the low carbon energy transition – by assessing how the Australian energy sector responds to low emission pressures, comparing the role of different actors in the transition, and developing insight into the political dynamics of the process.

The results from this research will provide policymakers and industry leaders with the means to develop innovative policies and support best practice to assist Australia’s transition towards energy competitiveness.

The PhD research project will focus on structural change within the fossil fuel sector and responses to low carbon technologies, and will involve working collaboratively with a team of researchers from the University of Newcastle and the University of Sydney.

PhD Scholarship details
University of Newcastle Research Scholarship: $27,082 p.a. (2018 rate), indexed in January each year for three and a half years.

Supervisor: Professor Daniel Nyberg

Available to: Domestic and International students

Fields of Research: 150303 - Corporate Governance and Stakeholder Engagement, 150310 - Organisation and Management Theory, 160806 - Social Theory

Eligibility Criteria
We are seeking an outstanding candidate with an undergraduate honours degree or a research masters in management, environmental politics, environmental sociology, economic geography or in a related discipline. Ideally, you will have a strong background in qualitative data collection and analysis.

Application Procedure
Interested applicants should send an email expressing their interest, including scanned copies of their academic transcripts, CV, a brief statement of their research interests and a proposal that specifically links them to the research project, to [Email Address Removed] by 31 May 2018 at 5pm.