PhD Opportunities at CoPS

CoPS specializes in CGE modelling: a technique for forecasting and analysing policies taking account of the whole economy. It is about the macro economy, industries, occupations, regions, the environment and the distribution of income. More information about CoPS and CGE modelling is available here.

CoPS has a fine tradition of graduate training. Normally, students work on a topic closely related to CGE modelling. Space to work and computers are provided in CoPS' premises, and students are expected to attend daily. There is a team atmosphere in which students receive a comparatively large amount of personal attention. Nearly all complete their PhD successfully within three or four years.

Demand is strong for qualified CGE modellers, and CoPS graduates readily find jobs at universities and government departments dealing with a broad range of economic policies, or in private organisations, particularly economics consulting firms. The training we give our graduates in theory, computation, data and communication equips them for careers not only in modelling but more broadly in any policy-related role. Jobs held by CoPS alumni are shown here.

To learn more about any of these opportunities, please email Professor Glyn Wittwer or phone him at 03 9919 1493.


CURRENT STUDENTS

Arief Rahman Yusuf Arief Rahman Yusuf enrolled PhD March 2023.
Previously: Government official
Topic: A CGE analysis for nickel market
Email: arief.yusuf@live.vu.edu.au
Supervisors: Robert Waschik (principal), Nicholas Sheard and James Giesecke (associate)
Fahad Malik Fahad Malik enrolled PhD July 2021.
Previously: Actuary
Topic: Matching risk to property insurance premiums amid climate change
Email: fahad.malik1@live.vu.edu.au
Supervisors: Glyn Wittwer and Jason Nassios (associate)
Arief Adrianto Rasyid Arief Adrianto Rasyid enrolled PhD Aug 2018.
Previously: Government official
Topic: The Economy-wide Impact of Financial Integration in Indonesia:
A Financial Computable General Equilibrium (FCGE) Analysis
Email: arief.rasyid@live.vu.edu.au
Supervisors: James Giesecke (principal), Louise Roos and Jason Nassios (associate)
Sam Marginson Sam Marginson: enrolled part-time PhD March 2016.
Previously: Environmental engineer
Email: samuel.marginson@live.vu.edu.au
Topic: Economic implications of the Paris Agreement and potential pathways to limit warming to 2 deg. C.
Supervisors: Glyn Wittwer and Michael Jerie

PREVIOUS STUDENTS

Chris King Chris King: enrolled PhD March 2016, graduated 2020.
Previously: Masters Student, McMasters
Topic: Exploring the Intensive and Extensive Labour Margin in a CGE Model
Supervisors: Janine Dixon and Philip Adams
Esmedekh Lkhan-Aajav (Ese) Esmedekh Lkhan-Aajav (Ese): enrolled PhD July 2011.
Previously: Senior lecturer, School of Economic Studies, National University of Mongolia;
Researcher, Economic Research Institute (ERI)
Topic: Natural Resources Utilization Impact on Economic Growth: Mining Sector Analysis of Mongolia
Supervisors: Prof Peter Dixon and Prof Maureen Rimmer
Awarded: November 2016
Tsue Ing Yap Tsue Ing Yap (Irene): enrolled PhD August 2011.
Previously: Senior Manager, Autoriti Monetari Brunei Darussalam
(seconded from Ministry of Finance, Brunei Darussalam)
Topic: Policy Options in Preparation for the Post-Hydrocarbon Era of Brunei Darussalam
Supervisors: Prof Philip David Adams and Dr Janine Dixon
Awarded: June 2016
Subsequently: Head of Economics, Research and Statistics, Brunei Monetary Authority
Meenachi Muniandy (Jessica) Meenachi Muniandy (Jessica): enrolled PhD April 2011.
Previously: Principal Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Malaysia
Topic: The National Key Economic Areas (NKEAs) potential to contribute to economic
growth and transform Malaysia into a high-income nation by 2020:
A Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) Analysis
Supervisors: Yin Hua Mai and Tran Hoang Nhi
Awarded: June 2016
Subsequently: Deputy Under Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Malaysia
Marc Jim Mariano Marc Jim Mariano: enrolled PhD February 2011.
Previously: Researcher at Philippine Rice Research Institute
Topic: National economic consequences and welfare implications of food security interventions in the Philippines
Supervisors: James Giesecke and Tran Hoang Nhi
Awarded: Nov 2014
Subsequently: Philippine Rice Research Institute
Kaarina Reini Dr Kaarina Reini: enrolled PhD June 2010.
Previously: Researcher in Biochemistry at the University of Oulu, Finland.
Researcher in regional economic effects project at the University of Helsinki.
PhD in Biochemistry and MSc in Economics and Business Administration (University of Oulu)
Topic: : The economic effects on Finland of type 2 diabetes increase
Supervisors: James Giesecke and Maureen Rimmer
Submitted: Not yet [lapsed]
Subsequently: Researcher in University of Vaasa, Finland.
Yu He Yu He: enrolled PhD Oct 2009.
Previously: PhD candidate of the Economic and Trade School of HUNAN University. China
Topic: : Linking economy, environment and society: a balanced future growth path for China
Supervisor: Yinhua Mai
Awarded: March 2014
Erwin Corong Erwin Corong: enrolled PhD July 2009.
Previously: Researcher: PEP research Network; IFPRI
Topic: Trade, Poverty and Gender
Supervisor: Mark Horridge
Submitted: Feb 2014; Awarded Nov 2014.
Subsequently: Economist at New Zealand Institute of Economic Research and at Center for Global Trade Analysis
Pathomdanai Ponjan Pathomdanai Ponjan: enrolled PhD 2008.
Previously: Economist & Assistant to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Thailand
Topic: CGE Analysis of the Macroeconomic impacts of Tourism and
Tourism-related Fiscal Policies on the Thai Economy
Supervisors: Yin Hua Mai
Awarded: Nov 2014
Subsequently: Fiscal Policy Office of the Ministry of Finance
Felicity Pang Felicity Pang: enrolled PhD 2004.
Previously: MEc (honours)
Topic: An Applied General Equilibrium Analysis of Fiscal Incidence in Australia
Supervisor: Tony Meagher, Mark Horridge
Submitted: Not yet
Subsequently: Strategic analyst, Bank of China, Macau.
Peter Mavromatis Peter Mavromatis enrolled PhD 2010.
Previously: Funds manager, Researcher at CoPS
Topic: Historical validation of the USAGE dynamic CGE model
Supervisor: Peter Dixon
Graduated: May 2013
Subsequently: Senior Funds manager
Ju Ai Ju-Ai Ng: enrolled PhD September 2010.
Previously: Research Analyst, M.Com (Melbourne)
Topic: : A Dynamic General Equilibrium Approach to Analyzing Wage Inequality and Employment in Malaysia
Supervisors: Peter Dixon and Maureen Rimmer
Awarded: Jan 2013
Subsequently: Researcher at Essential Services Commission, Melbourne
Louise Roos Louise Roos: enrolled PhD 2006.
Previously: Lecturer at the University of Pretoria, South Africa
Topic: Dynamic model for South Africa
Supervisors: James Giesecke and John Madden
Graduated: September 2012
Subsequently: Researcher at CoPS
Mahesh Rao Maheshwar Rao: enrolled PhD 2006.
Previously: Research Fellow, University of South Pacific, Fiji
Topic: Structural Change and Australian Labour Market
Thesis Title: ORANI-ED: A CGE model of the Australian economy for labour market forecasting
and education and training sector policy analysis.
Supervisors: James Giesecke and Mark Horridge
Submitted: October 2011, accepted March 2012
Subsequently: Research Fellow, University of Canberra
Heinrich Bohlmann Heinrich Bohlmann: enrolled PhD 2007.
Email heinrich.bohlmann@up.ac.za
Previously: Lecturer at the University of Pretoria, South Africa
Topic: Labour and Migration Issues in South Africa
Supervisors: John Madden
Submitted: May 2011, accepted Nov 2011
Subsequently: Senior Lecturer at the University of Pretoria
Curriculum Vitae
Sothea Oum Sothea Oum: enrolled PhD 2005.
Previously: researcher, administrator, MA student (Kobe University)
Topic: Welfare analysis of Cambodia's accession to WTO -- a CGE approach
Supervisor: Philip Adams
Submitted: September 2009; graduating April 2010
Subsequently: Researcher, Asian Development Bank
Charles Xiao JingLiang (Charles) Xiao: enrolled PhD 2005.
Previously: MSc in Computer Science, MSc in Operational Research (Lancaster, UK)
Topic: Financial CGE Modelling
Supervisors: Peter Dixon, Glyn Wittwer
Submitted: August 2009; graduating May 2010
Subsequently: Senior Research Associate Ciuriak Consulting, Canada
Seema Narayan Seema Wati Dhar Narayan: enrolled PhD 2007.
Previously: PhD student at University of Queensland
Topic: Dynamics of the current account and their implications for the modern
theory of the current account: the case of OECD countires
Supervisors: Peter Dixon and Russell Symth
Graduated: Sep 2009
Jeremy Rothfield Jeremy Rothfield: enrolled PhD 2003.
Previously: economist at consulting firms
Topic: Economics of undergrounding electricity cables
Supervisor: Philip Adams, Brett Inder
Graduated: Nov 2008
Subsequently: Researcher at Engineering consultancy.
Shusaku Yamamoto Shusaku Yamamoto: enrolled PhD 2003.
Previously: nearly a fisherman; cashier; social science student
Topic: Regional CGE analysis of Japanese government finances
Supervisor: Peter Dixon, Mark Horridge
Graduated: April 2009
Subsequently: Researcher at University of Queensland.
Tran Hoang Nhi Tran Hoang Nhi: enrolled PhD 2004.
Previously: cinematographic engineer, film distributor, Lecturer (International Trade and Microeconomics)
Topic: MONASH-VN: Development of a dynamic CGE model for the Vietnamese economy
and analysis of structural changes during 1996-2003
Supervisor: John Madden, James Giesecke
Graduated: October 2007
Subsequently: Researcher at CoPS.
Unchana Beadnok Unchana Beadnok: enrolled MPhil 2005.
Previously: B.Com (Melbourne)
Topic: Thailand's trade liberalization -- a CGE approach
Supervisors: John Madden, Yin Hua Mai
Graduated: March 2007
Subsequently: PhD student, University of Melbourne
Serajul Hoque Serajul Hoque: enrolled PhD 2002.
Previously: Research Assistant, economist, economics lecturer
Topic: A Computable General Equilibrium Model of Bangladesh for Analysis of Policy Reforms
Supervisor: John Madden, Peter Dixon
Graduated: October 2006
Subsequently: CGE Tourism Researcher, Victorian Government official.
Curriculum Vitae
Daniel Pambudi Daniel Pambudi: enrolled PhD 2001.
Previously: Finance Ministry of Indonesia
Topic: Regional CGE Modelling for Indonesia
Supervisor: Mark Horridge
Submitted: July 2005 Graduated: October 2006
Subsequently: Economist at New Zealand Institute of Economic Research
Curriculum Vitae
Ashley Winston Ashley Winston: enrolled PhD 2000.
Previously: law student, masters student, research assistant, assistant lecturer
Topic: Business Taxation, Corporate Finance and Capital Accumulation:
Theoretical Development and Application in a Dynamic General Equilibrium Environment
Supervisor: Peter Dixon
Submitted: November 2004 Graduated: October 2005
Subsequently: Research Fellow CoPS, Visiting Scholar US International Trade Commission, Managing Director at KPMG Washington.
Paresh Narayan Paresh Kumar Narayan enrolled PhD 2001.
Previously: Part-time tutor, lecturer, planning officer.
Topic: An Econometric Model of Tourism Demand and a Computable General Equilibrium
Analysis of the Impact of Tourism: The Case of Fiji Islands (awarded Mollie Holman Medal)
Supervisors: Peter B. Dixon and Philip D. Adams
Graduated: Feb 2004
Subsequently: Lecturer, Griffith University University, and Professor at Deakin University
Gae Kauzi Gae Kauzi enrolled PhD 1999.
Previously: Researcher, Bank of Papua New Guinea
Topic: CGE model of Papua New Guinea
Supervisor: Peter Dixon
Graduated: Jan 2004
Subsequently:Manager of Research, Bank of Papua New Guinea
Huey-Lin Lee Huey-Lin Lee enrolled PhD 1999.
Previously: masters student, economics tutor, research assistant
Topic: Forecasting Taiwanese CO2 emissions: A CGE analysis
Supervisor: Mark Horridge
Graduated: 2003.
Subsequently: researcher at Center for Global Trade Analysis, Purdue University USA;
academic at National Chengchi University (Taiwan).
Peter Mavromatis Peter Mavromatis enrolled MEc 1998.
Previously: assistant lecturer, body-builder
Topic: Dynamic CGE modelling: welfare implications of imperfect capital mobility
Supervisor: Peter Dixon
Graduated: 2001
Subsequently: Funds manager, Researcher at CoPS
Sharn Enzinger Sharn Enzinger enrolled PhD 1998.
Previously: economics lecturer, accountant
Topic: Impact of Greenhouse policies on the electricity industry
Supervisor: Philip Adams
Graduated: 2002
Subsequently: Official, Victorian Department of Treasury, Melbourne
Sam Otim Sam Otim enrolled PhD 1996.
Previously: Civil Servant, Uganda
Topic: Inventories in CGE models
Supervisor: Brian Parmenter, Philip Adams
Graduated: 2000
Subsequently: Assistant Professor of MIS,
Department of Business Administration, Computer Science & IT
Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania
Peter Marshall Peter Marshall enrolled PhD 1996.
Previously: banker, economics tutor
Topic: Exchange rate behaviour in practical macro models: Gruen and Gizcyki's anchoring hypothesis
Supervisor: Alan Powell
Graduated: 2001
Subsequently: Economist at Productivity Commission, Melbourne
Am Somsachee Siksamat enrolled PhD 1996.
Previously: official, Reserve Bank of Thailand
Topic: CGE analysis of growth in Thailand
Supervisor: Peter Dixon
Graduated: 1999
Subsequently: official, Reserve Bank of Thailand
Terrie Walmsley Terrie Walmsley enrolled PhD 1996.
Previously: tutor in economics
Topic: A long-run closure of GTAP with explicit tracking of the ownership of assets
- comparative steady states: the long-run effects of APEC trade liberalization
Supervisor: Alan Powell
Graduated: 1999
Subsequently: Post-doctoral Fellow, Purdue University; Lecturer, University of Sheffield; Co-Director, GTAP project, Purdue
Gouranga Das Gouranga Gopal Das enrolled PhD 1996.
Previously: Masters student
Topic: The role of absorptive capacity in technological diffusion via international trade
Supervisor: Alan Powell
Graduated: 2000
Subsequently: Post-Doctoral Fellow at University of Florida; Visiting Professor at Kyungpook National
University, Korea; Associate Professor, HanYang University, Korea;
Thiep Van Ho Thiep Van Ho enrolled PhD 1998.
Previously: executive assistant to garment manufacturer, refugee,
statistician (Australian Input-Output office), economist (BIE), lecturer (Swinburne)
Topic: A Tariff increase offset by consumption tax cut: a CGE analysis for Vietnam
Supervisor: Peter Dixon
Submitted: 2000, graduated 2001
Subsequently: Consultant: CGE Analysis of Tourism.
Curriculum Vitae
Edimon Ginting Edimon Ginting enrolled PhD 1996.
Previously: economics lecturer, Yogyakarta
Topic: The economy-wide effects of reducing Rent-seeking Activity: Tax Evasion in a Developing Country
Supervisor: Alan Powell
Graduated: 1999
Subsequently: Researcher at Productivity Commission Melbourne, adviser to Indonesian parliament, IMF economist
Gordon Schmidt Gordon Schmidt enrolled PhD 1994.
Previously: civil servant
Topic: Endogenous Economic Growth: A Dynamic Analysis
Supervisors: P Dixon and B Parmenter
Graduated: 2001 (awarded Mollie Holman Medal for the best doctoral thesis in the Faculty)
Subsequently: Postdoctoral Research Fellow, UNSW
Johanna Maria Kodoatie enrolled MEc 1996.
Previously: assistant lecturer, Diponegoro University, Semarang, Indonesia
Topic: Incentive Effects of the Personal Income Tax in Indonesia on Labour Supply
Supervisor: Alan Powell
Graduated: 1997
Subsequently: Lecturer, Diponegoro University
Guyonne Kalb Guyonne Kalb enrolled PhD [Jointly with Econometrics] 1994.
Previously: researcher, Department of Statistics and Research, Joint Administration Office, the Netherlands
Topic: Labour Supply and Welfare Participation in Two-Adult Households
Supervisors: Alan Powell, Tim Fry
Graduated: 1998
Subsequently: Researcher, Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, University of Melbourne
Matthew Peter Matthew Peter enrolled PhD ??.
Previously: factory worker, schoolteacher, ski instructor, beach bum, economics lecturer
Topic: CGE analysis of effects of Australian immigration
Supervisors: Brian Parmenter, Peter Dixon
Graduated: 1995
Subsequently: Investment funds manager
Ben Buetre Ben Buetre enrolled PhD 1992.
Previously: Electrician, Agriculturist, Planning Officer, Tutor, Research Assistant, Senior Ag. Dev. Specialist, IT Officer
Topic: Structural and technological change in the Philippines, 1985-1992
Supervisors: Peter Dixon, Mark Horridge, Fredoun Ahmadi-Esfahani
Graduated: 1995
Subsequently: Equilibrium Modeller, ABARE
Michael Malakellis Michael Malakellis enrolled PhD ??.
Previously: economics lecturer
Topic: An intertemporal CGE Model of the Australian economy: the timing of tariff reform
Supervisors: Mark Horridge, Alan Powell
Graduated: 1995
Subsequently: Investment funds manager
Farzana Naqvi Farzana Naqvi enrolled PhD 1992.
Previously: Researcher, Pakistan Atomic Energy Corporation
Topic: Energy pricing and equity: a CGE analysis for Pakistan
Supervisor: Mark Horridge
Graduated: 1996
Subsequently: Principal Scientific Officer, Pakistan Atomic Energy Corporation


See also:
CoPS staff
Visitors