Renewable energy risk changing climate

Renewable energy at risk: Improving risk estimates, responses and insurability in a changing climate

Degree type

PhD

Closing date

27 March 2023

Campus

Hobart

Citizenship requirement

Domestic/International

About the research project

Renewable energy is a critical component of an emerging and thriving green economy, and Australia is well-placed to take advantage or renewable energy produced by a number of different sources. However, the risk posed by climate change itself to renewable energy sources, such as water or wind, is likely to have important impacts on the successful transition to reliance on renewable energy sources. Understanding long-term baseline conditions is a critical part of modelling risk for renewable energy sources.  This needs to be coupled with knowledge provided through regional climate models to obtain an expanded view of climate risk to the renewable energy sector going forward. A further question concerns how the financial risk to providers of renewable energy may be ameliorated in a way such that ongoing and responsible investment in renewable energy infrastructure is encouraged.
This project will require high-level and transferable quantitative skills as well as excellent written and verbal English skills. It will involve quantitative econometric modelling, interpretation of palaeoclimate records and climate projections, as well as developing an understanding of the role of insurance. Previous experience with coding and multidisciplinary research is highly desirable.

Primary Supervisor

Meet Dr Kathryn Allen

Funding

Applicants will be considered for a Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship or Tasmania Graduate Research Scholarship (TGRS) which, if successful, provides:

  • a living allowance stipend of $31,500 per annum (2023 rate, indexed annually) for 3.5 years
  • a relocation allowance of up to $2,000
  • a tuition fees offset covering the cost of tuition fees for up to four years (domestic applicants only)

If successful, international applicants will receive a University of Tasmania Fees Offset for up to four years.

As part of the application process you may indicate if you do not wish to be considered for scholarship funding.

Eligibility

Applicants should review the Higher Degree by Research minimum entry requirements.

Selection Criteria

The project is competitively assessed and awarded.  Selection is based on academic merit and suitability to the project as determined by the College.

Additional essential selection criteria specific to this project:

  • Evidence of high level transferrable quantitative skills
  • Programming skills (e.g. Matlab/Python/R)
  • Evidence of ability to work both independently and as part of a team
  • Excellent communication skills and a high level of proficiency in English

Desirable criteria:

  • Experience with multidisciplinary research
  • Familiarity with climate models

Application process

There is a three-step application process:

  1. Select your project, and check you meet the eligibility and selection criteria;
  2. Contact the Primary Supervisor, Dr Kathryn Allen to discuss your suitability and the project's requirements; and
  3. Submit an application by the closing date listed above.
    • Copy and paste the title of the project from this advertisement into your application. If you don’t correctly do this your application may be rejected.
    • As part of your application, you will be required to submit a covering letter, a CV including 2 x referees and your project research proposal.

Following the application closing date applications will be assessed within the College. Applicants should expect to receive notification of the outcome by email by the advertised outcome date.

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