QLD GOV Department of Energy and Climate Placement Opportunity
The Department of Energy and Climate develops and implements policies and programs to address climate change, reduce emissions, and promote sustainable practices across Queensland.
In parternship with UQ's Graduate School, is offering to PhD candidates an opportunity to wok with their modelling team apply their research and transferable skills through a HDR placement. PhD candidates from any faculty with STEM and Economics background are welcome to apply.
Intended start date: Specific date negotiable with the selected candidate.
Total days: 60 working days.
Location: L3 / 41 Boggo Rd, Dutton Park. QLD. Placement can be done in a blended mode (face to face and remote).
Please read the project description to know more about this placement opportunity before applying
Please apply using the "APPLY" button below (please do not submit a my.UQ request for this placement). We will start to contact shortlisted students soon to organise interviews with the host supervisor. There is no deadline for this application as they are looking for the right candidate.
This placement is unpaid but you might be eligible to apply for one of the Graduate School Scholarships
About the projects
The modelling team have a suite of sector models that aim to establish an emissions baseline for a given sector. The key aim of these models is to forecast business as usual emissions, and then compare these BAU projections against potential emissions abatement actions. Calculating the abatement of policy positions gives decision-makers a valuable tool when comparing different abatement actions across the economy.
In the emissions space, there are several key knowledge gaps which could be filled by a student in any modelling, economic, scientific or engineering discipline, or students with a keen interest in particular economic sectors (i.e. agriculture/land, resources/mining, industrial processes, energy, transport, etc). A literature review or proof-of-concept modelling/calculation technique or any of the following topics would be an asset to our work program:
Climate and Resource Economy
- The Rise of Critical Minerals and Emission Reduction Potential: Transitioning Queensland's production to meet global demand for a low-carbon economy.
- Tracing Embodied Emissions in Supply Chains: Using an environmental extended input-output model to analyze emissions in the built environment.
Climate and Energy Science
- Energy Flow Accounting in Queensland: Unveiling the energy metabolism system from production to consumption.
- Life-Cycle Assessment of Queensland's Built Environment Sector: A bottom-up approach focusing on key materials.
- Carbon Budget Assessment: Measuring Queensland's reduction targets against the 1.5-degree Paris Agreement based on Integrated Assessment Modelling.
- Company-Scale Carbon Accounting in Queensland: Utilizing the NGER dataset.
- Understanding Emission Patterns: Spatial emissions mapping and industrial cluster analysis.
- A Critical Analysis of the Safeguard Mechanism: Emission baseline projection and viable solutions.
Climate and Energy Technology
- Estimating Emissions from Pumped Hydro Water Reservoirs: How can we apply available site-specific emission factors (EF) for existing dams to estimate emissions from pumped hydro water reservoirs?
- Mitigation Options for Emissions: What mitigation strategies can be implemented to reduce emissions from water reservoirs?
Energy and greenhouse gases
- Assessing the role of pumped hydro in renewable energy plans, particularly as an energy storage system that supports renewable production.
- Evaluating ongoing projects and their overall contribution.
- Technical assessments, such as methane emissions from coal mines.
Other potential topics
- Verification of Emissions from Land Clearing: Applying the FullCAM model and conducting a literature review to collect carbon storage values across Queensland. This would help verify estimates provided by proponents.
- Science-Based Targets for Emission Reduction: Using the science-based targets approach to inform assessment work. With the release of a new GHG guideline in May, there's a need to assess emissions reduction targets to ensure they align with national and Queensland emissions reduction goals.