About the Job
We are currently inviting applications from suitably qualified candidates to undertake a PhD by publication with research on urban transitions and health. Global trends such as urbanisation, population ageing, mobility transformation, and innovation in information technology have implications on human health. An important link between urban environments and health is people’s physical activity and sedentary behaviour. It is well known that physically inactive lifestyles are a major risk factor for obesity and chronic diseases. Yet, our lifestyles are currently highly inactive, and these trends and subsequent environmental and social changes may make them even more sedentary. The aim of the scholarships is to produce further evidence on how urban environments impact human health through active living and to assist decision makers to develop policies and strategies that can enhance people’s health. Specific domains that can be investigated under the scholarship include urban design/planning, active travel, urban green space and workplace.
Successful candidates will develop their project in consultation with supervisors. They will join a cohort of PhD students already at the Centre for Urban Transitions and are expected to contribute to the Centre’s publication and research culture.
The Centre for Urban Transitions
The Centre for Urban Transitions at Swinburne was established in 2017 to produce high quality and high impact research focused on planning and governance needed to achieve urban transitions, both in Australia and internationally. The Centre has a distinct role within the broader research field of urban transitions and devotes its efforts to address three challenges cities are facing today:
- Just cities transitions: how do we ensure accessibility, distribution and openness, for all, in the era of transformation?
- Healthy cities transitions: how can urban planning and governance contribute to better health and well-being for all?
- Productive cities transitions: how do cities and people thrive in a future of space premiums, resource restraint, automation, artificial intelligence, 3D fabrication and radical decarbonisation?
About you
To be successful in the role, you will have:
- First Class Honours (H1) award or equivalent; or for exceptional candidates a H2A award – see http://www.swinburne.edu.au/research/research-degrees for further information.
- Some familiarity with research topics relating to public health, urban design/planning, architecture, health geography, statistics
- Capacity or experience in developing a research proposal (with justified research questions and sound methods to examine them)
A full list of selection criteria is available within the position description.
How to apply and further information
Please submit your application by clicking on the ‘Apply’ link, and submit a resume, one-page cover letter (describing reasons for wanting to undertake a PhD with the Centre for Urban Transitions), one-page research proposal (your idea of possible research questions and proposed methodology) and a response to the Key Selection Criteria, as listed in the position description.
For further information about this position, contact Professor Takemi Sugiyama via email on
tsugiyama@swin.edu.au.
Should you require further support for an interview due to special needs or consideration, please contact our Diversity Consultant, Dr Walter Robles, on
inclusion@swin.edu.au. For support or queries related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment, please contact
DeadlyCareers@swin.edu.auIf you are experiencing technical difficulties with your application, please contact the Recruitment team on
staffrecruitment@swin.edu.auSwinburne is a large and culturally diverse organisation. We are proud to be recognised by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency as an Employer of Choice for women for 10 years in a row and of key initiatives such as our Pride@Swinburne Strategic Action Plan and our Reconciliation Action Plan. Equity and diversity are integral to our 2025 vision to be a world class university creating social and economic impact through science, technology and innovation.
Applications close at 5pm on Friday 13th March 2020.
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