PhD Scholarship in Quantifying Circular Economy Impacts in Australian workwear

PhD Scholarship in Quantifying Circular Economy Impacts in Australian workwear

This Project aims to identify, measure and model circular economy initiatives in workwear. The expected outcome is an evidence-based mathematical decision tool, which enables impact measurement of circular economy initiatives in the workwear sector.

The project aims to discover and optimise opportunities for net positive impact in workwear value chains, such as enhanced efficiencies, waste reduction, cost reduction, productivity increase, and lowered greenhouse gas emissions, while taking uncertainty into consideration. Using the high-visibility workwear industry as a case study, a guiding framework for circular economy decision-making in the apparel context can be built. This project is ultimately aimed at advancing the understanding of quantifiable impacts and building a clear business case for circularity in hi-vis workwear and associated textiles.

The Program includes:

  1. Admission to a university PhD program.
  2. Supervision by the participating university, CSIRO, and an industry partner.
  3. A four year scholarship package totalling approximately $47,000 per annum (2025 rate).  
  4. A four year Project Expense and Development package of $13,000 per annum. 
  5. A 60 day Industry Engagement component with the industry partner. 
  6. A structured professional development and training program to develop your applied research skills.

Successful students are subject to the policies, procedures and guidelines of the participating university in addition to the CSIRO Industry PhD Program terms and conditions. Students will receive a standard PhD on completion.

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A four-year scholarship package of $47,000 per annum (2025 rate) a four-year Project Expense and Development package of approximately $13,000 per annum

Applications are now open.

31 December 2026.

1 (One).

Essential 

  • Background in relevant discipline, e.g., Environmental Science, Operations Research, Mathematics, Apparel and Textiles Management, Supply Chain Management, Commerce, ML/AI.
  • Experience and interest in circular (textile) economy  Desirable  • Knowledge of carbon accounting, GHG methodologies, sustainability reporting frameworks (SASB/ISSB), circular economy and textile sustainability. 
  • Well-developed verbal and written communication skills and an interest in working on projects of commercial relevance, required. 
  • Programming language (Python, R) knowledge • Understanding and interest in apparel and textile sustainability

  1. Applicants are required to submit an expression of interest (EOI) following the instructions detailed on the participating university’s webpage.
  2. The EOI is assessed by the supervisory team and shortlisted applicants are interviewed. 
  3. The supervisory team nominates a preferred applicant and informs iPhD office.
  4. The nominated applicant will be instructed to apply. 
  5. The application is then assessed by the host university against PhD admission criteria. 
  6. The university will issue a letter of offer for the program if all conditions have been satisfied.  

This iPhD scholarship is a partnership between RMIT, CSIRO Data 61, and Workwear Group. Below are the details of the supervisory team: 

1. University 

Name of university supervisor Alice Payne 
Name of university Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology 
Email address alice.payne@rmit.edu.au 
Faculty Design and Social Context 

2. CSIRO

Name of CSIRO supervisor Rodolfo Garcia-Flores
Reena Kapoor
Email address Rodolfo.Garcia-Flores@data61.csiro.au
Reena.Kapoor@data61.csiro.au 
CSIRO Business Unit Data 61

3. Industry 

Name of industry supervisor Annelou Ringers
Name of business/organisation Workwear Group Pty. Ltd. 
Email address annelou.ringers@workweargroup.com.au
Website Workwear Group - The Leading Workwear Solutions Provider

General Program Information: 

  • Visit the iPhD website https://www.csiro.au/en/careers/Scholarships-student-opportunities/Postgraduate-programs-and-Scholarships/Industry-PhD/iPhD-Student 
  • Contact RMIT's School of Graduate Research: https://www.rmit.edu.au/research/contact/contact-the-school-of-graduate-research 
  • Contact the iPhD team 

Project Specific Information: 

  • Contact the nominated supervisors for the project listed above.  

This scholarship will be governed by RMIT University's Research Scholarship Terms and Conditions.

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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