PhD Scholarship (Nonfouling Electrode)

About the scholarship
This project will take an innovative, biomimetic approach to engineering implantable electrode materials. Accumulation and formation of unwanted materials (fouling) causes loss of function on any given functional surface. Fouling has a significant impact in a wide range of applications ranging from waste water filtration treatment, heat exchange systems and medical implants. By example in the area of medical implants, prevention of fouling from biological materials (bio-fouling) within the implant environment is critical to maximise the functional lifetime of the implant. This would translate to major benefits to the community (cost and health-wise) in enhancing the longer term functionality of electronic (bionic) devices designed to rectify significant human health issues such as deafness, blindness, paralytic spinal injury, epileptic seizures, and even memory function in people affected by Alzheimer’s disease and/or dementia, all which are compromised by bio-fouling. Effectively interfacing electronic devices with the body depends upon establishing a ‘clean,’ low noise electrical connection so that electrical information can be transmitted (i.e. stimulation) and/or received (i.e. sensing) with high fidelity, sensitivity and resolution. The biggest obstacle to the efficient transaction of electrical information between the electronic and biological systems remains the bio-fouling of implanted electrodes that form an electrical insulation barrier.

The PhD project is part of a larger research project developing novel surfaces for cellular applications that involves a large multidisciplinary team. This PhD project involves developing innovating conducting polymer surfaces that are non-fouling and capable of sustaining cellular growth. The candidate will be responsible for forming conducting polymers films through electrochemical polymerisation and will incorporate therapeutic molecules during growth. The PhD candidate will be responsible for developing the electrochemical polymerisation approach that forms the optimal non-fouling surface that has the ability to interact with cells as well as delivery therapeutic molecules in a controlled manner (i.e., controlled release). The candidate will be trained in a wide range of characterisation techniques and will interact with other material engineers and biologists working on the larger project.

Skills and experience
To be successful in this role you will need to demonstrate the following:

• 4 year honors degree (or equivalent) in science majoring in either;

o Chemical Sciences

o Biomedical Sciences

• Conducting Polymers

• Electrochemistry

A full list of the selection criteria is available within the position description

Further information, contacts and support
To start an application click on begin at the bottom of this page and submit a resume, cover letter and response to the Key Selection Criteria, as listed in the Position Description below.

Please do not email or send paper applications, all applications must be submitted online.

For further information about the position, please contact Professor Simon Moulton (Bioengineering Program Leader – Iverson Health Innovation Research Institute) via smoulton@swin.edu.au.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your application, please contact the Recruitment team on staffrecruitment@swin.edu.au. 

Should you require further support for an interview due to special needs or consideration, please contact our Diversity Consultant, Dr. Walter Robles, on inclusion@swin.edu.au. For support or queries related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment, please contact DeadlyCareers@swin.edu.au.

Applications close at 5pm on Wednesday 2nd January 2019

NB. Applicants please note – we will be closed for Christmas shutdown from 5pm on 21st December 2018 until 2nd January 2019. There will be no technical support during this time.