Social Science PhD Opportunity in Artificial Intelligence for Clean Energy and Sustainability
Job No.: 674304
Location: Caulfield campus
Employment Type: Full-time
Duration: The scholarship may be held for up to 3.5 years (fulltime) for Research Doctorate (PhD) studies
Remuneration: The successful applicant will receive a Research Living Allowance, at current value of $42,483 AUD per annum for PhD, plus $5,000 pa x 3 years training allowance, $5,000 for travel, thesis allowance $840 and cost of living allowance $5,000 ($2,000 paid at enrolment and $3,000 at PhD confirmation)
The Opportunity
This is an unprecedented opportunity for an outstanding social sciences PhD candidate interested in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and inclusive energy futures to win a scholarship to undertake a PhD supervised by Professor Yolande Strengers and Laureate Professor Sarah Pink at Monash University. The successful candidate will join our world-leading Energy Futures team in the Emerging Technologies Lab (ETLab) and FUTURES Hub, one of Australia’s most innovative research facilities. The candidate will also be connected to Monash’s Energy Institute and Faculties of Information Technology and Art, Design and Architecture.
Please note that this opportunity is limited to Australian citizens, Australian Permanent Residents, NZ Citizens and a person entitled to stay in Australia, or to enter and stay in Australia, without any limitation as to time.
The Emerging Technologies Research Lab, directed by Laureate Professor Sarah Pink, is an interdisciplinary and international research and knowledge community. We investigate the futures, present and past of our social, experiential and political worlds. Our world-class academic and engaged scholarship innovates and delivers new techniques and knowledge carefully designed to deliver new, inclusive and effective understandings and impact in response to the urgent need to better plan for futures with and for people and other species, emerging technologies and climate. The Lab’s internationally leading researchers bring together academic scholarship with engagement with external stakeholders, and advocate for the design of better, responsible and ethical futures. Their work also advances new ethnographic and futures methodologies drawing from design, anthropology, sociology, science and technology studies and documentary filmmaking practice. FUTURES Hub is our response to this moment where we live with elevated future uncertainties in a changing climate, in our applications of emerging technologies, and for our communities and everyday life. There is simply insufficient knowledge about our possible futures, and a need for new qualitative techniques for investigating, understanding, communications and action in relation to possible futures.
To be considered for this opportunity you should fulfil the eligibility requirements for Monash HDR candidates. For this particular position you must also have an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification in qualitative social science in sociology, anthropology, human geography (or Science and Technology Studies from the perspective of one or more of these disciplines), which has included training and experience in ethnographic research.
Monash University strongly advocates diversity, equality, fairness and openness. We fully support the gender equity principles of the Athena SWAN Charter.
The project
We invite applications from outstanding PhD candidates with undergraduate or postgraduate qualification in qualitative social science - sociology, anthropology or human geography and which has included training in qualitative research.
This PhD project will examine the perspectives of diverse Australians on uses of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for sustainable energy systems in the present and in possible futures. Fieldwork for the PhD will be undertaken in Australia.
We do not expect the successful candidate to have existing experience of researching energy systems or AI, but rather we are seeking a candidate who will be interested in applying social science skills to the above topic.
The context for the research is one where there are many proposed technical benefits of using AI in energy systems, which suggest it could lead to low costs, flexible charging and scheduling, energy savings, comfort, health, and wellbeing. However, there is a gap in our social science knowledge about how everyday people will (and wish to) use, experience and engage with such AI-driven energy systems.
Example research questions include the following, but we are also open to candidates’ own proposals:
- How do diverse Australians envisage and plan for sustainable energy transitions? Could AI supported energy systems align with their everyday priorities, values and routines to support such transitions? Would this bring benefits to Australians?
- Do diverse Australian households trust AI to support them in a sustainable energy transition? Would they trust AI to manage future sustainable energy systems, to ensure their privacy and to support their wellbeing?
- What are the everyday ethical concerns of diverse Australians in relation to sustainable energy transitions? Do these concerns align with the ethical possibilities of future AI supported energy systems?
- How might participatory and inclusive modes of communication and consumer engagement be built into AI supported energy systems? How would this best align with diverse Australians’ interests and uses of media content and technologies?
This position has a two-stage selection process:
Stage 1: Please submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the Faculty of Information Technology Graduate Research Office at fit-graduate.research@monash.edu
With the EOI please include the following documents – CV (including a list of published works, if applicable), academic transcripts, cover letter, evidence of Australian citizenship or Australian permanent residency or New Zealand citizenship or visa which entitles a person to stay in Australia, or to enter and stay in Australia, without any limitation as to time - and a draft research proposal of up to 5 pages, responding to one or more of the above research questions.
The draft research proposal should demonstrate an enthusiasm for engaged, theoretical and empirical research using ethnographic and other innovative methods into energy and AI futures. It should also outline your interest in being a PhD candidate within the Energy Futures research programme, summarise the theoretical, methodological and practical approaches you are interested in pursuing in a PhD and your interests in engaging with innovative digital, visual and design ethnographic methodologies.
Stage 2: Candidates who pass this stage of the selection process will be invited to discuss their ideas with Professor Pink before developing a full proposal and submitting an application.
Enquiries:
About the project - Professor Sarah Pink - sarah.pink@monash.edu
About submitting an EOI - Faculty of IT Graduate Research Office fit-graduate.research@monash.edu
Applications Close: Saturday 1 March 2025, 11:55pm AEDT
Supporting a diverse workforce
