PhD Scholarship in Molecular Tribology

About the Scholarship
We are seeking a PhD student with the equivalent of a First Class Honours or Master’s degree in physical chemistry, physics, mechanical/chemical engineering or an equivalent discipline to participate in an Australian Research Council Discovery Project on the Molecular Design of Complex Lubricants to Reduce Friction. This exciting PhD project involves collaboration between teams at Swinburne University of Technology, RMIT University and Imperial College London. The student will have a unique opportunity to contribute towards both the computational and experimental aspects of the project and will spend up to 12 months at Imperial College London working on the experiments. Computational work will be performed at Swinburne and will involve the use of the LAMMPS software package and in-house software to perform nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulations of appropriate lubricants under conditions of high confinement, large shear rates, and extreme temperatures and pressures. Experience in C++ programming, the LAMMPS package, or the ability to become quickly proficient would be an advantage. A full scholarship and tuition fee waiver is provided for 3 years, with the possibility of a 6-month extension. The maximum duration of the position is 4 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.

Swinburne’s Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology is at the forefront of the university’s focus on developing innovative solutions to real-life problems. If you’re interested in working on today’s most exciting challenges, collaborating with leaders in their discipline and being supported by some of the best technology and facilities in the country, then you should be at Swinburne.

About you
To be successful in the role, you will have:
• Bachelor Honours (First Class) or Master’s degree in Physics, Theoretical/ Physical Chemistry, Mechanical/ Chemical Engineering or equivalent
• Proficiency in the C/C++ programming languages/ or ability to become proficient quickly
• Basic knowledge of statistical mechanics, classical mechanics and chemical physics
• Excellent written and communication skills in English

How to apply and further information
Applicants should email Professor Billy Todd directly at btodd@swin.edu.au expressing your interest. In your email include a cover letter of no more than 1 page expressing your motivation to apply for this position, your CV and a copy of your academic transcripts with all subjects studied and grades obtained.

Swinburne is a large and culturally diverse organisation. We are proud of our commitment to equity and inclusion through key initiatives such as our Charter of Cultural Diversity, Pride@Swinburne Strategic Action Plan, Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) 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 30th of October 2020.
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