PhD Scholarship: Offshore Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (Blue Economy CRC)

About the role

Griffith University is offering a PhD scholarship to develop a GIS-based spatial decision-support tool that autonomously identifies optimal sites for offshore hybrid renewable energy systems (wind, wave and solar). The project is a collaboration between the School of Engineering and Built Environment, CSIRO, Pitt & Sherry and the Blue Economy CRC, and is based at the Gold Coast campus. It is primarily desk-based and involves collaboration with industry partners.

Key responsibilities

• Develop a GIS-based multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) model for offshore hybrid renewable energy systems.
• Create a decision-support tool that helps energy planners and system managers visually analyse spatial and analytical results.
• Contribute to the Blue Economy CRC research programme on Offshore Renewable Energy Systems within a multidisciplinary research team.

Required profile

• Completed or expected completion of a bachelor degree with honours (second-class honours) or a master's degree (AQF Level 9) with a significant research component, or equivalent.
• Background in engineering (power, renewable energy, civil, geomatic, environmental, industrial) or energy planning.
• Evidence of a passion for research in renewable energy.
• Demonstrated knowledge of GIS and/or spatial analytics is preferred.

What we offer

• Scholarship of $38,500 per year for 3.5 years.
• International applicants receive a postgraduate research scholarship covering tuition fees for up to three years.
• Support for professional and personal development of HDR candidates.

Applicants submit an expression of interest by email by Monday 31 August 2026, including a statement of suitability, a research proposal, proof of qualification, a CV and two referee names. The preferred applicant is then invited to apply online.