Climate-related disasters are escalating and stretching the resources of governments and communities in Australia. Faced with escalating disasters it is imperative that Australia addresses the need to work with communities and individuals to increase their disaster preparedness. Dr Cook is working with industry partners —Queensland Reconstruction Authority and Natural Hazards Research Australia— to devise community-centred governance models to reduce disaster vulnerability. The project’s aim is to create a community-centred approach to managing disasters in a changing climate that could assist a cultural shift towards shared responsibility for increasing resilience when faced with disasters. The project will have a historical focus looking at past and current disasters to inform ways of increasing future resilience.

We are currently looking for a PhD candidate to work with Dr Margaret Cook in the Australian Rivers Institute as part of her Australian Research Council Industry Fellowship. This is a fully funded 3-year PhD at Griffith University in Queensland, Australia.

Griffith University sites are located on the lands of the Yugarabul, Yuggera, Jagera, Turrbal, Yugambeh and Kombumerri peoples.

The successful applicant will be based at the Australian Rivers Institute at Griffith University Brisbane South (Nathan). As Griffith is a multi-site University you may be required to work across other locations. The supervisory team with include Dr Margaret Cook and Associate Professor Johanna Nalau (Griffith University).

Griffith University offers a vibrant PhD community with lots of opportunities for professional development and access also to multiple research centres all working on different aspects of the environment.

The selection of applicants for the award of higher degree research scholarships at Griffith University involves consideration of your academic merit and research background. You will have evidence of a passion to work in the field of disasters to increase disaster resilience through public education, community empowerment and effective governance. Candidates should be prepared to engage innovatively with under-utilised archival materials, oral histories, case-studies, methodological approaches and/or narratives. You will decide on your PhD topic in consultation with Dr Cook and Associate Professor Nalau to ensure a good fit regarding your interests and topic that supports Dr Cook’s broader project.

Potential research topics could include:

• Histories of community-focused disaster management, preparedness and responses
• Climate adaptation of communities in responding to disasters
• Comparative study of disaster governance across different contexts
• Community education and engagement to aid proactive responses to disasters

• Expressions of interest are welcome from domestic and international applicants.
• Applicants must have completed, or expect to complete, a bachelors degree with honours equivalent to first class honours or a Masters degree (AQF Level 9) incorporating a significant research component of a standard comparable to a bachelor honours degree or be regarded by Griffith University as having an equivalent level of attainment in accordance with Schedule One of the HDR Scholarship Procedure.  For further information on the eligibility requirements for the program refer here.

Please note:

• Ideally the applicant will have a background social science. International applicants should ensure that English Language Proficiency requirements for the program are met before formally applying. Applicants to research programs will need to show they meet:

International applicants should ensure that English Language Proficiency requirements for the program are met before formally applying. Applicants to research programs will need to show they meet:

1. A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on the IELTS (Academic) with no band score less than 6.0 OR
2. A minimum score of 575 on the paper-based TOEFL including a score of no less than 5.0 on the TWE OR
3. A score of 79 on the internet-based (iBT) TOEFL with no sub-score less than 19

About the scholarship
The 2026 Griffith University Postgraduate Research Scholarship has an annual stipend of $35,656 (indexed) for a period of up to three years of full-time study. Please see the GUPRS Conditions of Award for more information.

A successful International applicant will also be awarded a Griffith University International Postgraduate Research Scholarship to cover tuition fees for up to three years. Please see the GUIPRS Conditions of Award for more information.

What Griffith offers
As a scholarship holder, you will study with a University that ranks among the top 2% worldwide and spans across locations in South East Queensland. At Griffith University, we’ve worked hard to create a culture that will challenge you to be curious, creative and courageous. We also support the professional and personal development of all our HDR candidates and invest in the skills of our people. Griffith University values diversity, inclusion and flexibility and we encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and people of all backgrounds to apply. Griffith's strategic goals are to also increase the proportion of women in senior academic and administrative roles and in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM).

EoI process
Please do not select the “APPLY” button. All expressions of interest must be submitted to [email protected] containing:

• A statement addressing your suitability for the project/scholarship
• Research proposal
• Evidence that you have completed a program with the required grades as detailed in the about you section, including a  copy of your academic transcript
• A curriculum vitae (CV) using the Griffith CV template.
• Names and of two referees

Closing date for expressions of interest is: Monday 2 February 2026 5pm AEST

The preferred applicant will then be invited to apply for the program and scholarship on-line

For project related enquiries please contact:
Dr Margaret Cook
Email: [email protected]

For administration enquiries please contact:
Griffith Graduate Research School
Email: [email protected]