If you would like more information or have any questions about this scholarship, please contact the project supervisors.
Dr James Gone
Email: james.gong@deakin.edu.au
Ph: +61 3 5227 3723
Modernising Australian building water services
Applications will remain open until a candidate has been appointed.
Supporting a PhD candidate investigating sustainable water service design for Australian healthcare buildings.
Key details
Project supervisor
Deakin school and faculty
Additional supervisors
Location
Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus
Value and duration
This scholarship is available over three years and offers:
- a stipend of $37,450 per annum tax exempt (2026 rate)
- a fixed top-up of $10,000 per annum tax exempt
- a relocation allowance of $500–1,500 (for single to family) for students moving from interstate
For international students, the awardee will also receive:
- tuition fees offset for the duration of four years
- single Overseas Student Health Cover policy for the duration of the student visa.
Research aim
We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to join an exciting research project focused on improving the design of cold and heated water services in Australian healthcare buildings. This project aims to advance the knowledge required to enable cost-effective, reliable, and sustainable design of water service systems in these critical facilities.
The research will involve:
- Field investigations to measure and analyse real-world water usage in healthcare buildings
- Data-driven modelling of cold and heated water demand patterns
- Development of innovative algorithms and design tools for water service systems
- Translation of findings into practical design guidance for industry
The project will deliver:
- An updated methodology for estimating peak water demand in Australian healthcare buildings
- New modelling tools to support the design of cold and heated water systems
- Evidence-based insights to inform plumbing codes, standards, and regulations
Background information
Healthcare buildings (e.g., hospitals and aged care facilities) have complex and highly variable water demands, yet current design approaches often rely on outdated assumptions. Preliminary studies indicate that peak water demand in Australian healthcare buildings is systematically overestimated, leading to oversizing of both cold and heated water service systems. This oversizing increases capital costs, reduces operational efficiency, and may elevate risks to water quality, such as stagnation. Despite these implications, the extent of demand overestimation and its impacts are not well quantified, and there is currently limited guidance on how to address these issues in practice.
This PhD project will undertake a comprehensive investigation to quantify discrepancies between predicted and actual water demand. The research will combine field measurements, controlled experimental studies, and numerical modelling to better understand water use patterns and system behaviour in healthcare settings. Building on these insights, the project will develop data-driven methodologies and practical design tools to support more accurate estimation of peak demand and improved design of cold and heated water systems.
The project is co-funded by the REACH program at Deakin University and the Hydraulic Consultants Association Australasia (HCAA). HCAA will provide critical industry engagement, including facilitating access to case-study buildings and offering professional expertise. Research outcomes will be disseminated through academic publications and conferences, as well as directly to industry via HCAA networks. The project is strongly aligned with industry needs and offers pathways into specialised careers in hydraulic and building services engineering.
Am I eligible?
To be eligible you must:
- meet Deakin's PhD entry requirements
- enrol full time
- hold an honours degree (first class) or an equivalent standard masters degree with a substantial research component
Please refer to the research degree entry pathways page for further information.
Additional requirements:
- A background in engineering (civil, mechanical, environmental, or related discipline)
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Interest in building services, water systems, or sustainability
- Experience in data analysis or modelling
Ready to apply?
Please email your CV and cover letter (including your interest in the project) to Dr James Gong. Your CV should highlight your skills, education, publications and relevant work experience. If successful, you will be invited to submit a formal application.
Research degree entry requirements
Set yourself up for success. Each type of Deakin research degree has specific entry requirements designed to ensure that graduate researchers are well prepared for the challenges of advanced study.
