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Population projections for migration policy

Project summary

Program
PhD
Location
St Lucia
Research area
Human society

Project description

The COMPAS project (Consequences of Migration Policy in Australia Simulator) aims to develop a new population projection model to anticipate the short- and long-term impacts of shifts in migration policy on the size and location of the Australian population, the composition of its labour force, and the demand for housing.

Using state-of-the-art microsimulation with novel administrative microdata linked to visa and citizenship status, the project is expected to set new standards in population projections and to provide a critically needed foundation for forward-looking evidence-based policy to help optimise the immigration intake and strategically plan for population ageing, labour force needs and future housing demand.

You will contribute to the development of modules for the micro-simulation model and work in collaboration with multiple government agencies to create policy-relevant scenarios. You should have:

  • advanced coding skills in R, Stata or SAS
  • experience handling and modelling large datasets
  • an interest in migration policy and demographic research
  • a collaborative mindset, and
  • a background in demography, quantitative sociology or economics.

Research environment

Join a growing group of demographers, economics, geographers, and sociologists who work in collaboration with government to develop evidence-based solutions to demographic challenges, including migration.

Scholarship

This is an Fellowship support scheme scholarship project that aligns with a recently awarded Australian Government grant.

The scholarship includes:

  • living stipend of $37,500 per annum tax free (2026 rate), indexed annually
  • your tuition fees covered
  • single overseas student health cover (OSHC).

Learn more about the Fellowship support scheme scholarship.

Supervisor

Preferred educational background

Your application will be assessed on a competitive basis.

We take into account your:

  • previous academic record
  • publication record
  • honours and awards
  • employment history.

A working knowledge of R, Stata, or SAS would be of benefit to someone working on this project.

You will demonstrate academic achievement in the fields of demography, economics or quantitative sociology and the potential for scholastic success.

A background or knowledge of migration and migration policy is highly desirable.

How to apply

This project requires candidates to commence no later than Research Quarter 2, 2027. You can start in an earlier research quarter.

You must submit an expression of interest (EOI) by the closing date for the research quarter (RQ) you want to start in:

  • RQ 1 (January): 30 September
  • RQ 2 (April): 31 December
  • RQ 3 (July): 31 March
  • RQ 4 (October): 30 June.
  • RQ 1 (January): 30 June
  • RQ 2 (April): 30 September
  • RQ 3 (July): 31 December
  • RQ 4 (October): 31 March.

Before you apply

  1. Check your eligibility for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
  2. Prepare your documentation.
  3. If you have any questions about whether the project is suitable for your research interests, contact Associate Professor Aude Bernard (a.bernard@uq.edu.au).

When you apply

To apply, submit an expression of interest (EOI) for the program. You don't need to apply separately for the project or scholarship. How to submit an EOI

In your EOI, complete the 'Scholarship/Sponsorship' section with the following details:

  1. Are you applying for an advertised project: 'Yes'
  2. Project: 'Fellowship project scholarship'
  3. Scholarship Code Listed in the Advertisement: MIGRATION-BERNARD
  4. Link to Scholarship Advertisement: https://study.uq.edu.au/study-options/phd-mphil-professional-doctorate/projects/population-projections-migration-policy

Submit an EOI

This project is not available to international students