Zema Energy Studies Scholarship
Generously supported by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO)
Monash University and the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) launched the Zema Energy Studies Scholarship in March 2019, a world-class PhD program to develop the nation’s future energy leaders.
The Scholarship has been established to honour the memory of AEMO’s founding Chief Executive Officer, energy reform leader and Monash alumnus Matt Zema, and is designed to support the next generation of leaders to meet Australia's energy sector challenges. It was created with the support of the Energy and Climate Change Ministerial Council and in partnership with the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO).
The Zema Scholarship aims to create a cohort of energy professionals with advanced multidisciplinary knowledge across engineering, IT and business and economics. The PhD program is intended to deepen student’s expertise, unlock their full leadership potential and help them gain exposure to Australia’s national energy industry. The scholarship provides a $50,000 per annum stipend plus the opportunity for a paid internship with AEMO, and will support the successful applicant for the approved duration of their PhD candidature, to a maximum of three-and-a-half years.
Candidates interested in a Masters by Research in the below topic areas, will also be considered.
Call for PhD candidates - Become a Zema Scholar
The prestigious PhD scholarship opportunity will empower you to build on your passion, gain exposure, and contribute to the energy community. You will work with supervisors from the engineering, information technology, and business & economics faculties to explore and solve pressing energy problems. And you will work collaboratively with the energy sector, enabling you to establish an industry presence and develop leadership networks.
Submit your application before the end of 2023.
How to apply
1. Check that you are eligible to enrol in the program
2. Contact a supervisor
3. Follow your faculty's 'how to apply' process
4. Complete the online application
Potential research areas and supervisors
These are example projects listed under the Zema Energy Studies Scholarship. If you would like to contact a supervisor and design an energy related research project, this would be considered. Multidisciplinary projects will be given priority.
Links to information about research areas in engineering, information technology, and business & economics.
2. Energy price comparison websites impact on residential consumers’ behaviour
3. Examining the effectiveness and uptake of electricity pricing mechanisms
4. Pricing electricity derivatives
5. Forecasting the future of indoor air
6. Role of storage in the energy market
7. Role of EVs in the grid
Zema Scholarship past recipients
Matt Zema
As the founding CEO of AEMO, Matt Zema epitomised the spirit of energy sector reform leadership, bringing a passion for customer-centred reform, first to Victoria, and then nationally.
On 23 July 2016, AEMO's inaugural Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Matt Zema tragically passed away during his eighth year of leadership.
Matt's accomplishments throughout his 30 years in the energy industry are many and long-lasting. His incredible contribution to the energy industry is unparalleled and all those who knew him remember Matt as an exceptional and visionary leader.
From 1999 to 2008, Matt was CEO of the Victorian Energy Networks Corporation (VENCorp), which was responsible for operating the principal transmission system for gas in Victoria and for the planning, procurement and augmentation of the Victorian electricity transmission network. Matt successfully led VENCorp through a number of complex emergency events, such as the gas supply disruption from the Longford incident in September 1999, and electricity supply issues in January 2007 due to severe bushfires and in April 2008 due to damaging storms.
Prior to this, Matt worked in general management roles with PowerNet Victoria, GPU PowerNet and GPU International, extending himself beyond the strong engineering foundation he had built at the State Electricity Commission of Victoria from 1983. He progressed quickly with exposure to regulatory management issues, IT, and people leadership and development.
Matt was appointed inaugural MD and CEO of AEMO in 2009, leading the transformation of the newly established entity, and building its reputation as a trusted, respected, independent resource for policymakers and industry.