The Sustainable Transportation Action Research Team (START) is looking for a PhD student with experience in social science, policy analysis, survey/interview design and/or quantitative modeling and methods to conduct research relating to low-carbon transportation technologies and practices. The position starts in September 2025, or January 2026 at the latest.
The PhD student will be under the supervision of Dr. Jonn Axsen, Professor in REM and Director of START (details below). The student will complete the Resource & Environmental Management (REM) Program at Simon Fraser University (Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada).
(Note: START is also open to off-cycle applications for Master’s students.)
START is a dynamic group that takes an interdisciplinary, mixed-method approach to research on sustainable transportation solutions. The larger START research program evaluates the potential of transportation technologies, practices, and policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, spanning passenger, fleet, and freight sectors.
Our research perspective is interdisciplinary, mixed-method, and policy-relevant.
START’s research insights regularly contribute to policy design and industry strategies that enable transitions to system low-carbon transporation, seeking pathways that are effective, efficient, equitable, acceptable, and transformative.
Qualifications
PhD applicants should clearly demonstrate that they have skills in at least two of the following areas:
- Statistical analysis of consumer and market data
- Survey and/or interview design and research methods
- Quantitative modeling of energy or transport systems
- Valuation methods and/or discrete choice modeling
- Market analysis for alternative fuels or low-carbon technology
- Climate policy and technological change
In addition, the applicant should also demonstrate:
- a strong academic background (including in the skills listed above),
- a competitive grade point average (or equivalent),
- excellent skills in communication (writing, presenting, etc.), project organization, and working both collaboratively and independently.
Ideal candidates will be eager to conduct novel, applied quantitative research in the field of low-carbon transportation systems, and to publish results in top-level academic journals. PhD applicants should already have attained a Master’s degree—though those with only a Bachelor’s can still apply for our Master’s program. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.
For a successful PhD applicant, the offered stipend will comply with SFU’s Ph.D. minimum funding policy that guarantees at least $28,000/year to the student for each of the first four years. Successful applicants will also be expected to apply for any relevant scholarships to support their stipend.
The Resource and Environmental Management ( REM) Ph.D. Program
Ph.D. applicants should look closely at the REM program’s requirements, which requires students to complete courses and demonstrate basic competencies in environmental economics, public policy, and environmental science over the course of their Ph.D. Graduates in the REM program enjoy an extremely high employment rate, moving to leadership positions in government, industry, consulting, and academia.
Instructions for Application
Please include:
- a one page cover letter, clearly demonstrating your experience in the required skills noted above (Note: the first paragraph of the cover letter and email should clearly indicate how the applicant’s research skills and interests align with the overall research scope and required skills);
- transcripts from Master’s degree and Bachelor’s degree (unofficial transcripts are acceptable for now);
- an up-to-date CV;
- up to three publications or writing samples; and
- a list of at least three academic references (contact names, emails, phone numbers and your relationship to each reference).
Review of applications will start immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Please indicate “Application for START Ph.D. student” in the subject line of your email and send all applications electronically to:
Zoe Long, PhD Candidate and Research Manager
START, School of Resource and Environmental Management, Simon Fraser University e-mail: start@sfu.ca
ABOUT DR. JONN AXSEN AND THE SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION ACTION RESEARCH TEAM ( START)
About Dr. Jonn Axsen and the School of Resource and Environmental Management:
Dr. Jonn Axsen is a Professor in the School of Resource and Environmental Management (REM)at Simon Fraser University, and the Director of SFU’s Sustainable Transportation Action Research Team (START). He employs interdisciplinary and mixed-method research approaches to identify solutions for today’s enormous environmental challenges, including decarbonization of the transportation sector.
His research demonstrates that such solutions require an understanding of individual decision-making, social systems and culture, technology development, and public policy. He applies a rigorous and comprehensive perspective to provide policy- relevant insights into sustainable transportation technology and practices, including electric vehicles and alternative forms of mobility, as well as other sustainable transport modes, energy and environmental applications.
Professor Axsen was elected a member of the Royal Society of Canada. He has authored over 90 peer-reviewed journal articles since 2009, and he regularly advises the research and policy analyses of governments, industries, and think-tanks.
About the Sustainable Transportation Action Research Team (START):
START is a research collaborative within the Faculty of Environment that focuses on the transition to sustainable transportation systems. START takes a unique interdisciplinary approach to its research, drawing from disciplines such as economics, marketing, engineering, innovation management, health sciences, geography, public policy, urban studies, communications, and psychology into the analysis of sustainable transportation solutions. START produces policy- and industry-relevant research in three key aspects of sustainable transportation: vehicles and drivetrains, fuels and infrastructure, and mobility and travel demand. For each aspect, START produces comprehensive research to assess different transportation technologies, practices and solutions according to technological feasibility, consumer and citizen acceptance, and public policy.
For more info, visit:
- The REM web site: rem.sfu.ca/
- Axsen’s webpage: https://www.sfu.ca/rem/about/people/axsen.html
- START’s webpage: sustainabletransport.ca