PhD scholarships

Catalytic Architectures - Towards Zero Carbon

Rigid ligand architectures for CO₂ reduction catalysts

New molecular catalysts for the reduction of CO₂ will be rationally designed and synthesised allowing structure-property relationships to be developed, and catalytic activity optimised. Single metal atom reaction sites will be key focus with ligand design utilising rigid aromatic backbone architectures, thus providing good control over the metal coordination geometry and the placement of neighbouring functionalities, along with the tuning of electronic and steric parameters. The design will consider options to incorporate the molecular catalysts within porous frameworks though covalent or supramolecular approaches.

Eligibility

The candidate should have a good knowledge of organic chemistry and organometallic/coordination chemistry in the context of catalysis. Organic synthesis with unsaturated/aromatic building blocks will be a major component of the project. Familiarity with handling chemicals in an inert atmosphere, along with routine molecular characterisation techniques such as NMR and MS, is essential. Candidates should satisfy the requirements for admission as a PhD candidate at University of Otago.

Total value and tenure of scholarship

NZD$35,000 per annum (not taxed), plus all student fees for three (3) years.

How to apply

To apply, please send a CV, academic record, and the names and contact details of two referees to: Associate Professor Nigel Lucas, nigel.lucas@otago.ac.nz with “Rigid ligand architectures for CO₂ reduction catalysts” in the subject line.

Chemical programming of mixed-matrix membranes for CO₂ capture

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels are causing a global environmental crisis. Mitigating this crisis will require new effective approaches to reducing CO₂ emissions. Mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) present an attractive option for CO₂ capture. MMMs are made by incorporating a porous filler into a polymer matrix, and they combine the merits of both materials. However, these membranes suffer from several drawbacks, including limited precision in the discrimination of CO₂ from other gases and undesired void spaces due to incompatibilities between the filler and the matrix.

This PhD project will develop new mixed-matrix membranes by incorporating metal-organic framework (MOF) fillers into polymer matrices. The primary focus will be to systematically programme the properties of the MOF fillers to improve the interfacial compatibility and enhance the CO₂ separation performance. In addition to exploring the separation mechanisms at an atomic level, this project will generate new insights to inform the future design of the CO₂ capture membranes.

The PhD student will gain familiarity with a wide range of material synthesis techniques and characterisation methods including SEM, TGA/DSC, XRD, physisorption and more. They will also become experts in experimental and computational membrane analysis. The student will be enrolled at the Victoria University of Wellington under the supervision of Dr Ben Yin and Professor Shane Telfer, and is expected to spend time at Massey University in Palmerton North over the course of their PhD studies. The student will also collaborate with our key partner investigators from the wider MacDiarmid Institute and internationally.

Eligibility

The applicant should hold a 4-year BSc(Hons), MSc/MEng or equivalent degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science/Engineering, Chemistry or a related discipline. Previous laboratory experience in porous materials synthesis and membrane research will be advantageous. Candidates should satisfy the requirements for admission as a PhD candidate at Victoria University of Wellington.

Total value and tenure of scholarship

NZD$35,000 per annum (not taxed), plus all student fees for three (3) years.

How to apply

To apply, please send a CV and academic record to Dr Ben Yin, ben.yin@vuw.ac.nz, with “CO₂ capture membrane” in the subject line. A shortlist of qualified applicants will then be invited to make a formal application for PhD study at Victoria University of Wellington.

Future Computing - Towards Low Energy Tech

 There are currently no available PhD Scholarships available within this Research Programme. Any future opportunities will be posted here. 

Reconfigurable Systems - Towards Zero Waste

Novel magneto-thermal catalysts for CO₂ hydrogenation

A circular CO₂ economy requires the capture and conversion of carbon dioxide into useful products and materials. But this is complicated by the high chemical stability of carbon dioxide. One promising approach is catalytic hydrogenation of CO₂ to small organic molecules such as methane or methanol, which can then be used as precursors for more complex large molecules and polymers. However, CO₂ hydrogenation typically requires high temperatures in order to provide sufficient energy to initiate the reaction. The very high energy costs associated with heating input and output flows mean that this approach is not presently economically feasible.

This PhD project will investigate a new approach to catalytic CO₂ hydrogenation, using novel magneto-thermal core-shell catalyst micro/nanoparticles. These ferromagnetic particles undergo localised rapid heating in an oscillating magnetic field, delivering energy solely to the reaction site and at a fixed temperature determined by the Curie Temperature of the core material. This approach could substantially decrease the energy demand of the hydrogenation process, as heat does not dissipate throughout the wider reactor.  It also provides the potential for improved selectivity and a decrease in parasitic side-reactions.

In this PhD project, the student will synthesise a range of novel catalyst particles, and characterise their magneto-thermal behaviour. A benchtop reactor system will then established to test the CO₂-hydrogenation performance of these catalysts under continuous flow operation.

Eligibility

The applicant should hold a degree equivalent to an MSc/MEng or a 1st class Honours (4-year) degree in New Zealand, in Chemical Engineering/Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science or a similar discipline. Previous laboratory experience in materials synthesis or gas phase catalysis could be advantageous. Candidates should satisfy the requirements for admission as a PhD candidate at Victoria University of Wellington.

Total value and tenure of scholarship

NZD$35,000 per annum (not taxed), plus all student fees for three (3) years.

How to apply

To apply, please send your CV, academic record, and the names and contact details of two referees to: Professor Chris Bumby (chris.bumby@vuw.ac.nz) with “Novel magneto-thermal catalysts for CO2 hydrogenation” in the subject line.

Mātauranga Māori Research Programme - Sustainable Resource Use

Projects incorporating indigenous knowledge via collaboration and co-design are available. Contact the Programme Leader, Dr Pauline Harris, from Rongomaiwahine, Ngāti Rakaipaaka and Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa, directly if interested. Potential candidates will be hosted at Victoria University under the supervision of the MacDiarmid Institute Principal Investigators. 

External PhD scholarship opportunities with MacDiarmid Institute Investigators

Please see this section for externally-funded PhD scholarship opportunities which will be supervised by MacDiarmid Institute Investigators.  While the students will be affiliated with the MacDiarmid Institute and will automatically be part of the MacDiarmid Emerging Scientists Association (MESA), the scholarships are not funded by the MacDiarmid Institute.

Scholarships in Green hydrogen production, storage and integration 

Processing and characterisation of Ti-Fe alloys as H2 storage materials from NZ feedstocks (2 PhD scholarships)

Green hydrogen will become a pivotal vector to carry and store renewable energy in a future net-zero carbon New Zealand. Ti-Fe alloys demonstrate high hydrogen uptake at ambient conditions and are an attractive candidate material for stationary bulk hydrogen storage applications. Nevertheless, several key issues require further investigation, such as surface activation, cycle stability, impurity tolerance, and supply volume of the metallic feedstocks.

Two PhD candidates will explore the production and processing of Ti-Fe alloys from New Zealand-sourced feedstocks using metallurgical and mechanochemical methods as part of collaborative research within the German-New Zealand Green Hydrogen alliance. The alloys prepared will be characterised by a range of methods (XRD, SEM/EDS, ICP-MS, XRF, DSC), and their hydrogen storage capacity and kinetics studied using custom ‘Sieverts apparatus’. Furthermore, the presence of common impurities within the Ti-Fe alloys will be systematically studied to better understand how locally-sourced feedstocks are likely to perform as hydrogen storage materials, including the effect of surface impurities on reactivity/diffusion characteristics.

Supervision and support for the project will be provided by staff at the University of Otago and University of Canterbury, New Zealand, and the Institute of Hydrogen Technology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Germany. The students will be enrolled at the University of Otago, but it is expected that the candidates will spend time at both the New Zealand and German host institutions over the course of the PhD studies

Eligibility

The applicant needs a degree equivalent to the 4-year BSc(Honours) degree in New Zealand, with 1st class Honours, or an MSc or Postgraduate Diploma in Chemistry, Materials Science, Engineering, or equivalent. Practical experience with hydrogen materials, metallurgy, mechanochemistry and/or the characterisation techniques listed above will be advantageous. Māori and Pasifika students are particularly encouraged to apply. Candidates should satisfy the requirements for admission as a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Otago.

Total value and tenure of scholarship

The PhD scholarship will include tuition fees and a stipend of $30,000 p.a. (tax-free) for three years.

How to apply

To apply, please send your full CV, including academic record, research experience, and the names and contact details of two referees, to: Associate Professor Nigel Lucas, nigel.lucas@otago.ac.nz, and Associate Professor Alex Yip, alex.yip@canterbury.ac.nz, with “Hydrogen storage materials PhD” in the subject line.

Design, Synthesis and Advanced Characterisation of Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction in Anion Exchange Membrane Electrolysers

This programme aims to develop above state-of-the-art anode materials for the anion exchange membrane electrolyser (AEMEL) technology using low-cost and abundant materials. Currently, the anode overpotential makes up the majority part of the inefficiencies of an AEMEL system. By developing more efficient anode materials a significant increase in the efficiency of hydrogen production using AEMEL technology is possible. This in turn will help accelerate the formation of a green hydrogen economy and thus support the Governmental climate change goals in Germany and New Zealand.

This programme has 3 PhD projects available. These include:

Project 1: In-situ characterisation of anode materials operating under oxygen evolution conditions.

This project will include:

• Developing synchrotron based x-ray methods (x-ray absorption spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction) to characterise anodes during oxygen evolution
• In-situ Raman spectroscopy of anodes during oxygen evolution
• Voltametric and impedance analysis of electrocatalytic oxygen evolution electrodes

Project 1 is based at University of Canterbury, Christchurch, NZ, under the supervision of Professor Aaron Marshall.

Project 2: Tomographic analysis of gas evolving electrodes.

This project will include:

• Use of synchrotron x-ray tomography on porous and gas evolving electrodes
• Use of MRI for characterising porous and gas evolving electrodes
• Understanding of role of porous structures during gas evolution

Project 2 is based at University of Canterbury, Christchurch, NZ, under the supervision of Professors Daniel Holland and Aaron Marshall.

Project 3: Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy of gas evolving electrodes.

This project will include:

• Use of Scanning Electrochemical Cell Microscopy of novel electrocatalytic electrodes
• Mapping electrocatalytic activity at sub-micron scales
• Apply scanning probe methods to characterise electrocatalytic composites

Project 3 is based at Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, NZ, under the supervision of Dr Kim McKelvey.

Eligibility

Applicants should have a background in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or Physics. Some experience, skill and interest in electrochemistry or electrochemical engineering would be beneficial but is not essential.  Experience in standard materials characterisation methods (XRD, XPS would also be helpful. Ability to draft reports, and finish things off in a timely fashion, are also important, as is proven ability to work well in a team. A wide range of skills will be developed during the course of this project. Candidates should satisfy the requirements for admission as a PhD candidate at University of Canterbury or Victoria University of Wellington..

Total value and tenure of scholarship

NZD$30,000 per annum (not taxed), plus all student fees for three (3) years.

How to apply

To apply, please send a CV, academic record, and the names and contact details of two referees to: Professor Aaron Marshall, aaron.marshall@canterbury.ac.nz, with “Electrocatalysis in AEMEL” in the subject line.

Liquid metal simulations (DFT)

Liquid metals recently became one of the most promising mediums for the development of new technologies.  Liquid metals can produce both nanostructures and bulk materials that can be used for a number of essential technologies, with applications ranging from printable-flexible electronics to carbon-capture devices. 

Using density functional theory and molecular dynamics modelling, we use simulations to discover the physical and chemical processes underlying a number of fascinating (and useful) phenomena that have been experimentally observed in a certain class of binary liquid metals.  These include Turing patterns, inverse bifurcations and the emergence of unexpected nanostructures.  The project will include the development and use of novel thermodynamic theory, simulation and analysis methods, as well as machine learning for classical potentials. 

An overview of our recent work on the project can be found here.

Eligibility

We are seeking a PhD candidate who is highly motivated to work in a highly-collaborative inter-institutional team, and that has an excellent academic record relevant to the project. The ideal candidate will have an interest in working at the intersection of physics, chemistry, and materials science. Applicants should have a physics or chemistry degree equivalent to the 4-year BSc (Honours) degree in New Zealand, with 1st class Honours, or an MSc or postgraduate Diploma. A basic knowledge of density functional theory, molecular dynamics, coding (scripting or more advanced languages) would be bonus. The candidate will remain at Victoria University of Wellington throughout the project, but will have the opportunity to visit the University of Auckland. Depending on government travel restrictions, there may also be the opportunity to visit the experimental team at UNSW.  Candidates should satisfy the requirements for admission as a PhD candidate at the Victoria University of Wellington.

Total value and tenure of scholarship

The scholarship is funded via the Marsden Fund and provides a non-taxed stipend of NZD$35,000 per annum plus the PhD tuition fee for three years.

How to apply

To apply, please send a CV, academic record, and the names and contact details of two referees to: Krista Steenbergen, Krista.Steenbergen@vuw.ac.nz, with “PhD: DFT Liquid Metals” in the subject line.

New Industry-Funded PhD Studentship: Connecting Structure and Rheology in Dairy Protein Concentrates 

New and improved concentrated dairy products are constantly being designed for their nutritional value and health benefits. The goal of this project is to use both theory and experiments to develop rheological models for emerging products. The project is affiliated with the MacDiarmid Institute and funded by Fonterra, and represents a rare opportunity to carry out research embedded with the expert team at Fonterra’s Research and Development Center, in Palmerston North, New Zealand.

Eligibility

The ideal candidate will have a strong Honours or Masters degree in soft matter physics, materials science, physical chemistry, engineering or a related field. Experience with rheology (and especially rheological models) would be an advantage. In addition, they should have excellent analytical skills to assist with interpretation of experiments, and a strong command of written English. Candidates should satisfy the requirements for admission as a PhD candidate at University of Auckland.

Total value and tenure of scholarship

NZD$35,000 per annum (not taxed), plus all student fees for three (3) years.

How to apply

To apply, please send a CV, academic record, and the names and contact details of two referees to: Associate Professor Geoff Willmott, g.willmott@auckland.ac.nz, with “Connecting Structure and Rheology in Dairy Protein Concentrates ” in the subject line.

Medical Robotics

The Microrobotics Research Lab at Massey University is looking for two to three (2-3) PhD students to work on the development of robotic capsules for gut analysis project. The long-term goal of the project is to develop wireless smart capsules that can travel the entire gut and interact with it to early diagnose gut related diseases. The project covers the multiple areas of robotics.

These MBIE Smart Ideas grant funded PhD positions will enable the awardees to interact with the medical technology and nanotechnology communities of New Zealand. The position will provide an opportunity to collaborate with other leading New Zealand universities (e.g., University of Auckland and University of Canterbury) and internationally (University of Sydney, Australia). The students will work with a team that includes engineers, clinicians and commercialisation experts.

Eligibility

Masters or First-Class Honours degree in mechatronics, electronics, mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering, robotics or any other relevant engineering disciplines. 
• Experience in robotics projects
• Experience in medical robotics related projects (desirable)
• Experience in scientific publications (desirable)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
• Drive, enthusiasm, integrity, openness
• Experience with STEM related outreach activities (desirable) 

Candidates should satisfy the requirements for admission as a PhD candidate at Massey University.

Total value and tenure of scholarship

The scholarship is funded via MBIE Smart Ideas and provides a non-taxed stipend of NZD$35,000 per annum plus the PhD tuition fee for three years. Successful candidates will be expected to start by 30th June 2023 (open to negotiation).

How to apply

Please send your application as a single PDF file that includes a letter of motivation, CV with publications, copies of degrees and transcripts, and contact details of up to 3 references by email to Dr Ebu Avci, E.Avci@massey.ac.nz, with “Funded PhD Positions in Medical Robotics” in the subject line. The closing date for applications is 4 November 2022.

High-efficiency Gallium Oxide Power Electronics for New Zealand’s Zero Net Emissions Future

Preventing catastrophic climate change will require replacing everything that burns fossil fuels to drive generators, heat buildings, and transport goods and people with renewable electrical energy. The problem is that current power electronic devices based on silicon are inefficient at converting, switching, and conditioning renewable energy. More efficient and faster wide-bandgap power electronic devices are needed to reduce the costs and energy losses involved in renewable electricity production, distribution, and usage. The exciting ultrawide-bandgap semiconductor gallium oxide (β-Ga₂O₃) has enormous potential for the next-generation of power electronic devices due to its outstanding power efficiency figures-of-merit that are much higher than silicon and the alternative wide-bandgap materials, silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN), currently under development.

This project aims to develop prototype, proof-of-concept β-Ga₂O₃ electronic devices, such a power diodes and power transistors, that clearly demonstrate the potential of gallium oxide to deliver transformational gains in device speed and efficiency. This will require an increased understanding of the fundamental properties of this exciting new material, the growth of high-quality β-Ga₂O₃ device layers, and the fabrication of new improved electronic contacts and interfaces so that the predicted performance gains can be delivered reliably to the outside world. The project will be based in the Nanofabrication Laboratory at the University of Canterbury where you will join a project team of electrical engineers and physicists with a strong track record in exploiting the potential of new oxide semiconductor materials. You will gain valuable skills in advanced materials science and semiconductor device fabrication and testing.

Eligibility

The ideal candidate will be a person of Māori heritage with a Master or Honours degree in either Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related science-based discipline, and a strong desire to work in a rapidly growing field and in a multi-disciplinary, collaborative environment. 

Candidates should satisfy the requirements for admission as a PhD candidate at University of Canterbury.

Total value and tenure of scholarship

The scholarship is funded via Marsden and provides a non-taxed stipend of NZD$35,000 per annum plus the PhD tuition fee for three years.

How to apply

To apply, please send a CV, academic record, and the names and contact details of two referees to: Professor Martin Allen, martin.allen@canterbury.ac.nz, with “High-efficiency Gallium Oxide Power Electronics for New Zealand’s Zero Net Emissions Future” in the subject line.

Thinking outside the square! Exploring new nanomaterials with square geometries

Nanotechnology is a transformational science involving tiny structures whose properties become size and shape dependent as quantum effects influence their behaviour and where their ultrahigh surface-to-volume ratios result in new material properties and enhanced catalytic performance. It has produced amazing new materials, such as quantum dots, atomic clusters, nanowires, nanotubes, fullerenes, and graphene. However, the geometries of these materials have tended to be predominantly circular, cylindrical, or hexagonal in nature, and nanostructures with square geometries are comparatively rare. In this project, we are investigating the growth, fundamental properties, and applications of perfectly square nanotubes of transition metal oxide semiconductors, particularly the oxides of tin, titanium, iridium, molybdenum and niobium. Our aim is to develop a new class of highly-functional nanomaterials with unique square shaped geometries, determine their structure-property relationships, and explore their potential use as new high-efficiency electrocatalysts for CO₂ reduction and water denitrification.

We are offering a generous PhD Scholarship for a dedicated person to join our multi-disciplinary team of electrical engineers, physicists, and chemists to pioneer the development of an exciting new class of nanomaterials. Along the way you will have the opportunity to acquire advanced skills in scanning and tunnelling electron microscopy, plasma sputtering, electron beam deposition, mist chemical vapour growth, inductively coupled plasma etching, x-ray diffraction, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and electrochemistry.

Eligibility

The ideal candidate will have (or soon have) a Masters or Honours degree in either Electrical Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, or a closely related science-based discipline, and a strong desire to work in an exciting new field and in a multi-disciplinary, collaborative environment. 

Candidates should satisfy the requirements for admission as a PhD candidate at University of Canterbury.

Total value and tenure of scholarship

The scholarship is funded via MBIE and provides a non-taxed stipend of NZD$35,000 per annum plus the PhD tuition fee for three years.

How to apply

To apply, please send a CV, academic record, and the names and contact details of two referees to: Professor Martin Allen, martin.allen@canterbury.ac.nz, with “Thinking outside the square! Exploring new nanomaterials with square geometries” in the subject line.

Capillary microfluidic platform development for rapid, simple, affordable analytical medical diagnostic and wine testing devices.

Capillary microfluidics is the use of capillary forces to autonomously move liquids around a device. Our team spans the Biology and Electrical Engineering Departments at University of Canterbury and we have developed an autonomous capillary valve for these devices, including a proof-of-concept application for the wine industry. The available PhD project has a variety of potential routes for the successful candidate to mix and explore as interests them – fundamental and applied research, biology, engineering and modelling. Fundamental research will focus on the development of new microfluidic techniques to be applied in various areas, while applied research will involve the use of the fundamental microfluidics to develop applied analytic devices. The engineering side of the research will have a focus on the design of the microfluidic devices, and the biological aspect of it will investigate the development of novel assays to be used in the devices and study the interaction of such assays. Coding and modelling can be a great help with expanding current simulations to support the development of the fundamentals and applied research.

Current projects are investigating microfluidic devices targeted for wine industry. Wine is an important part of New Zealand’s economy and something New Zealand is known for on the world stage. The development of advanced testing devices will provide winemakers a better access to analytical results, giving them a greater understanding of their process and allowing them to make more informed decisions, leading to higher quality wine. Winealyse is the concept name for a potential spin-out company from the University of Canterbury. Winealyse is aiming to develop devices for the wine industry, to provide winemakers rapid, simple, and affordable access to the analysis of wine using capillary microfluidics. With the problem identified by the Bragato Research Institute, the research arm of New Zealand Wine, there is a real market pull to find new ways to understand the winemaking process and potential to further develop the research in wine testing area.

Eligibility

Applicants must have a University of Canterbury equivalent GPA of 7/9 or better over the last three years.  Candidates should satisfy the requirements for admission as a PhD candidate at University of Canterbury.

Total value and tenure of scholarship

The scholarship provides a non-taxed stipend of NZD$35,000 per annum plus the University of Canterbury PhD tuition fee for three years.

How to apply

To apply, please send a CV, academic record, and the names and contact details of two referees to Professor Renwick Dobson, renwick.dobson@canterbury.ac.nz, Associate Professor Volker Nock, volker.nock@canterbury.ac.nz, and PhD candidate Daniel Mak, daniel.mak@pg.canterbury.ac.nz.

Further PhD Scholarships with non-MacDiarmid Institute Investigators:

Green Hydrogen Integration (6 PhD scholarships)

NZ National Energy System Modelling – Role of Hydrogen (1 PhD scholarship)

For more information and to apply

Tags: Towards Zero Waste - Reconfigurable Systems, Towards Zero Carbon - Catalytic Architectures, Towards Low Energy Tech - Hardware for Future Computing, Mātauranga Māori Research Programme