PhD in Hydrogeology

Description

Flinders University is globally recognised for excellence in water and environmental research, ranked 17th for Water Resources in the 2021 Shanghai Ranking. It is the headquarters of the highly regarded National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training (NCGRT), which provides a supportive, high-quality environment that enables research exchange and linkages with some of the world’s leading water research organisations.

Full-time, fully funded PhD scholarship opportunities in Hydrology/Hydrogeology are available in the College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University. The successful candidate will join a dynamic research team working on prestigious Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Projects, contributing to impactful, real-world research in hydrogeology, involving a range of field, modelling and laboratory techniques to study freshwater/marine and groundwater/surface water systems and their interactions. Specific research topics include sand tank experimentation, field-scale groundwater modelling, adaptive management, quantification of submarine groundwater discharge, and the analysis of nutrient transport processes. The PhD projects provide opportunities to engage in combinations of techniques to understand complex field-observations of hydrogeological phenomena. The candidate will collaborate with experts from multiple Australian universities and industry, gaining exposure to specialists in oceanography, geomorphology, hydrochemistry, geophysics, and mathematical modelling.

Applicants must have completed (or be close to completing) an Honours or Masters degree in Hydrogeology, Water Resources Engineering, Hydrology/Hydraulics, Environmental Science, Remote Sensing or a related field. Someone with previous training in computer modelling and coding, or with demonstrated experience in field-based techniques in hydrogeology and the interpretation and analysis of field data is preferred. Applicants must have strong writing and communication abilities and be able to work effectively within a multidisciplinary and international research team. The PhD scholarship is based at Flinders University (Principal Supervisor Prof. Adrian Werner), with strong engagement and co-supervision from specialises in other disciplines (e.g., ecology, mathematics, chemistry, environmental tracers, etc.) at Flinders University and other Australian Universities. The PhD project will be developed in consultation with the successful candidates, taking into account their interests and experience.

Benefits

• The scholarships include a stipend valued at AUD 33,533 per annum (standard ARC rate for 2025) tax free.
• The scholarship will be awarded for 3 years, with the possibility of a 6-month extension subject to approval.
• Broad exposure and collaboration with Australian and international academic communities.
• This scholarship is open to domestic and international applicants.
• A Research Training Program Fee Offset Scholarship to cover tuition fees for Australian Citizens, NZ Citizens and Permanent Residents. 
• International applicants require an international tuition fee waiver to be eligible for this scholarship, which will be applied for on behalf of the successful candidate.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the award of this scholarship a student must:

• meet PhD admission requirements including have an Australian Honours degree Class 1 or 2A or equivalent qualification (at least AQF Level 8), including a research component of at least 6 months’ full-time study achieving Distinction (75%) OR including evidence of equivalent research experience, such as a substantial first-author refereed publication or track record as an investigator on a competitive grant;
• have a background in Hydrogeology, Water Resources Engineering, Hydrology/Hydraulics, Environmental Science, Remote Sensing or a related field;
• be available to commence as a full-time PhD student at Flinders University in 2026;
• possess prior experience in computer modelling and coding, or with demonstrated experience in field-based techniques in hydrogeology and the interpretation and analysis of field data (desirable, but not mandatory).