PhD Scholarship - Biopolymer Composite

Exciting project aiming to design and fabricate high-performance environmentally friendly binder materials.

About the Scholarship
This is an opportunity to join a supportive research group in the School of Engineering at Swinburne University of Technology. The project aims to design and fabricate high-performance environmentally friendly binder materials. The newly developed binder will be tested in various engineering scenarios to understand nanoscience-based working mechanisms. It is expected that the novel binder will potentially reduce the use of conventional cement/concrete materials, contribute to a circular economy and help to mitigate climate change. The newly developed binder materials will lead to future construction applications in the harsh Australian conditions that call for stringent requirements for infrastructure applications and other industry sectors. It will suit candidates with an interest in interdisciplinary research combining chemistry, materials science and civil engineering.

The project will qualify the candidate for an excellent career in R&D industry, and/or academia. The fundamental knowledge and hands on experience with a broad range of synthesis and characterisation techniques, and engineering application will contribute to ongoing research in developing novel and sustainable engineering solutions.

There are Two full PhD Scholarships ($31,592 per annum) available for the duration of three years and 6-month extension with the following make conditions:
i) Provisions for paid leave (maximum of 12 weeks/84 days of paid leave, plus provision for paid maternity/paternity leave)
ii) Financial support to attend an international conference during PhD
iii) A thesis allowance (maximum $840 for a PhD)
iv) A relocation allowance ($505 for each eligible adult and $255 for each eligible child – maximum total allowance is $1,455)
v) Tuition fee waiver up to four years

About Swinburne University of Technology
Swinburne is a multi-sector university of science, technology and innovation with more than 54,000 students and 5,000 staff globally. We offer postgraduate, undergraduate, vocational education and online education to provide students with a variety of work-relevant pathways. Our mission is to be a world-class university, creating economic and social impact through science, technology and innovation. We aim to deliver future-ready learners, research with impact and innovative enterprise.

About you
To be successful in the role, you will have:
• Bachelor (Honours) or Master degree (or equivalent) in Chemical or Materials Engineering, or similar discipline
• Research experience of at least 6 months
• English Language Requirement (e.g. IELTS: Overall 6.5, No individual band below 6.0) for international student
• Able to conduct challenging research independently.

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

How to apply and further information
Applicants should express their interest in writing to Dr Lily Li (yalili@swin.edu.au). Please include cover letter, academic transcript(s), CV, names of two referees, and English test results (IELTS or TOEFL or equivalent) (if applicable).

Successful candidate will be invited to submit application for entry into a PhD and satisfy the general requirements of entry into a PhD program at Swinburne University of Technology, please see (http://www.swinburne.edu.au/research/research-degrees/application-process/submit-application/).

For further enquires please contact Dr Lily Li - yalili@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 Manager, Maree Norden, on inclusion@swin.edu.au. For support or queries related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment, please contact DeadlyCareers@swin.edu.au.
Swinburne is a large and culturally diverse organisation. We are proud to be recognised by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency as an Employer of Choice for women for 10 years in a row and of key initiatives such as our Pride@Swinburne Strategic Action Plan and our Reconciliation Action Plan. Equity and diversity are integral to our 2025 vision to be a world class university creating social and economic impact through science, technology and innovation.

Applications close at 5pm on Saturday 28th August 2021

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