PhD Opportunity, Centre for Transformative Innovation

About the Scholarship

If you are looking for a rigorous graduate training, and want to make a substantial research contribution to the economics of innovation, and innovation studies, the Centre for Transformative Innovation (CTI) at Swinburne University of Technology is offering a PhD in Innovation Economics.

We are seeking candidates who will take on priority projects detailed below. Candidates are also welcomed to submit a project proposal for consideration in the Centre for Transformative Innovation’s key research areas.

The PhD candidates are expected to develop their own independent research agenda focused on issues related to in all areas of innovation studies and innovation economics under the supervision of Professors Elizabeth Webster and Dean Lusher, Associate Professors Alfons Palangkaraya, Peng Wang, Russell Thomson and Amir Aryani, and/or Dr Trevor Kollmann. 

The position is available for PhD research in all areas of innovation studies and innovation economics, but preference will be given for outstanding PhD research proposals which are aligned with Swinburne’s Research Strategy and ecosystem, which focuses on the following key areas:

• Space and Aerospace
• Innovative Planet
• Med Tech and Health Innovation
• Innovative Society
• Manufacturing Futures
• Digital Capability

Therefore, preference will be given for outstanding PhD proposals which:

• Apply advanced econometrics and data science and analytics techniques such as machine learning and natural language processing. 
• Use large scale microdata.
• Focus on any of the following areas:
• The link between science, innovation, and economic performance.
• Intellectual property rights protection and innovation.
• Mobility of scientists, researchers, and inventors.
• The role of public policy and research institutions.
• International trade and investment and global value chains 

About Swinburne and the Centre for Transformative Innovation:
The position is with the Centre of Transformative Innovation (CTI) in the School of Business, Law and Entrepreneurship at Swinburne University of Technology. Swinburne is fast becoming a world leading research university. In fewer than 25 years Swinburne University of Technology has achieved a place in the top 300 universities in the world (and one of the top 75 in the world in physics).

As a student at the Centre you will be part of a team of academics and researchers at the cutting edge of research on innovation economics using large datasets and advanced data science methods. Our Centre is the largest interdisciplinary academic research body on innovation in Australia which studies knowledge; how it accumulates and how it can be used to benefit all. 


Current research programs at the Centre for Transformative Innovation include:

• Global value chains and innovation and intellectual property rights protection.
• Translation of science into economic value.
• Innovation and the dynamics of networking.
• Global mobility of scientists and researchers.

The hallmark of our Centre is the dedication to using data to explore what works; what is important and what is not. PhD candidates will be provided with excellent research support from Centre’s data scientists and collection of databases including:

• Web of Science (WoS) database of 90 million records and 800 million citations. Swinburne is the only University with access to this data and one of fewer than a dozen worldwide.
• Global intellectual protection application database including patent and trademark. 
• Access to unpublished population data of Australian businesses. 
• Australian government program recipient database.

Potential Scholarship Options
If successful in applying for a PhD place at Swinburne and receiving an offer, students may be eligible to apply for a scholarship when a scholarship round is open. 

Who Can Apply?
The scholarships are open to local and international students who fall into one of the following categories:

• new PhD or Professional Doctorate candidates;
• students currently enrolled in a Swinburne PhD program, who have been enrolled for less than two years as at the closing date of the round;  and
• students who have received an offer for candidature in a Swinburne PhD program, but and have not yet enrolled or applied for a scholarship.

Scholarship Eligibility

• Applicants must meet candidature requirements as set out in their proposed program. Please refer to the website for details
• Further information can be found here
• Please review the Scholarships entitlements easy guide 2023 for additional information

PhD Position Key Responsibility and Eligibility
To be successful in the role, you will have:

• Master’s degree in economics or an honours undergraduate degree with knowledge in microeconomics and applied econometrics at an advanced Master’s level
• Comply with Swinburne’s English Language requirements. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or equivalent (e.g. Pearson Test of English (PTE) examination certificate with a minimum overall score of 7.0
• TOEFL/IELTS scores if from non-English speaking countries or if previous degree qualifications are not from institutions in English speaking countries
• Data analysis skills and attention to detail 
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team in a collaborative manner

A full list of selection criteria is available within the position description. 

About Swinburne University of Technology
Swinburne Horizon 2025 draws upon our understanding of future challenges. With this new strategic plan, we choose to build Swinburne as the prototype of a new and different university – one that is truly of Technology, of Innovation and of Entrepreneurship, and proud of it. We are committed to a differentiated university proposition in education and research, so that:

• Every Swinburne learner gets a work experience
• Every Swinburne graduate gets a job
• Every Swinburne partner gets a tech solution
• Swinburne is the prototype of global best practice

The achievement of our 2025 moon shots depends on our capacity to work collectively, always, as One Swinburne.

How to apply and further information

Please submit your CV and cover letter addressing why you believe you are suitable for this position.  

For further information about this position, contact Alfons Palankaraya at apalangkaraya@swin.edu.au

Please Note: Appointment to this position is subject to passing a Working with Children Check.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your application, please contact the Swinburne Talent Acquisition Team on staffrecruitment@swin.edu.au  

Applications Close: Friday 26th April 2024, at 11pm

Swinburne offers flexible working options, leave and parenting/carer policies to support work life balance.

Equity and Diversity 
Swinburne is a large and culturally diverse organisation and we are proud of our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion through key initiatives.  For further information on all our initiatives visit our Equity & Diversity website.

We welcome and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

We are committed to making the recruitment process fair and equitable for all our candidates. If you have specific accessibility or support requirements please contact inclusion@swin.edu.au

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants
We welcome and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.  

For any support please contact DeadlyCareers@swin.edu.au or for more information on our Indigenous strategies please follow the link to our RAP Reconciliation Action Plan

As a signatory to Victoria’s Commitment to Action, Swinburne seeks to remove barriers to international graduate employment. We welcome and encourage applications from international graduates.  

(Agency enquiries will not be accepted for this position)