PhD Opportunity Dr. Anne Astin Safer Victoria Scholarship

Remuneration:$28,373 (2020 rate) per annum for 3 years and 3 months with the possibility of a 3-month extension

Energy Safe Victoria is offering to sponsor a PhD student in the field of corrosion in partnership with the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (Monash University). We are Victoria's safety regulator for electricity, gas and pipelines. Our role is to ensure that Victorian gas and electricity industries are safe and meet community expectations. We are also responsible for licensing and registering electricians, and educating the community about energy safety.

If you want to make a difference in the field of corrosion and electrolysis mitigation we would like to partner with you on a journey to explore new and exciting methods of combating corrosion due to stray currents. Some potential topics of interest include: "Modelling the effects of stray currents on the corrosion of underground pipelines"; "Remote monitoring and diagnostics of electrolysis mitigation systems" or "Getting a better understanding of the corrosion of copper pipes subject to stray currents".

Dr Anne Astin is an Australian biochemist, forensic and risk expert and company director. She works across a number of sectors including health, education and research and is currently Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee and Advisory Board for Energy Safe Victoria. Anne was added to the Victorian Honour Roll of Women in 2010 and received a Public Service Medal in the 2011 Queen’s Birthday Honours.

She is notable for her role in dairy development and regulation, and her advocacy work regarding food safety standards. She began her career teaching at Monash University. Afterwards, she became a forensic expert, focusing on police, and later joined the dairy industry. She was the inaugural CEO of the Victorian Dairy Food Safety Authority and has assisted in two major inquiries here in Australia and New Zealand. Anne has also assisted ESV over many years in its regulatory work that includes mitigating the risks associated with major bush fires, investigating potentially catastrophic energy incidents and ensuring that electrical, gas and pipelines in Victoria a redesigned, maintained and operated safely - especially with new technologies and emerging fuels.

Stipend: $28,373 (2020 rate) per annum for 3 years and 3 months with the possibility of a 3-month extension

Expenses: $5,000 per year for 3 years and 3 months

The scholarship will be awarded to the highest-achieving student based on academic achievement.

The recipient of this scholarship must maintain satisfactory academic progress throughout their research degree.