PhD Scholarship in Marine Corrosion and Biofouling

• Offered by the ARC Training Centre for Biofilm Research and Innovation
• Full time, fixed term (3 years with potential 6-month extension) opportunity at our central Hawthorn location
• $36,161 Salary and an additional scholarship top-up worth $15,000

About the Scholarship
Join a cutting-edge multidisciplinary research project tackling real-world challenges in the marine environment! A fully-funded PhD scholarship is available to explore microbially influenced corrosion (MIC), a critical global issue affecting materials in marine systems. This exciting opportunity is part of the prestigious Australian Research Council (ARC) Training Centre for Biofilm Research and Innovation, Australia’s leading hub for biofilm-related research and industry collaboration.

The project will investigate how operational parameters and environmental conditions influence MIC in critical marine vessel systems, with the goal of developing solutions to improve efficiency and sustainability in industries such as maritime, defense, and water management. You will work closely with world-class researchers and industry collaborators, including the Defence Science and Technology Group, gaining invaluable experience in interdisciplinary research and professional networking.

This scholarship is ideal for candidates from diverse engineering and scientific disciplines, including microbiology, biochemistry, materials engineering, marine science, or environmental science. As a PhD candidate, you’ll lead your research under the guidance of expert mentors while contributing to transformative outcomes that address global challenges.

Don’t miss the chance to combine academic excellence with practical impact—apply now to embark on this exciting journey!

About you
To be suitable for this role you will need to have experience in the below key accountabilities:

• Experience in performing field tests or developing and performing laboratory experiments
• Familiarity with materials science and/or corrosion, particularly concerning metals and alloys, for example material characterisation methods, testing water parameters or making up relevant chemical solutions
• Familiarity with microbial ecology, for example growing bacterial strains, performing bacterial counts or modern microbial sequencing methods

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

Qualifications
A Bachelor’s degree with Honours or a Master’s degree in Microbiology, Biochemistry, Materials Engineering, Marine Science/Biology, Environmental Science, or a related field

Eligibility
The successful applicant will have to apply for and satisfy the general entry requirements into a PhD program at Swinburne University of Technology.

Additionally, applicant must be eligible to gain an Australian Defence Clearance and meet International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and be able to provide a National Police Clearance obtained within the last 3 months. To check eligibility please visit the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency Website.

About Swinburne University of Technology
Swinburne Horizon 2025 draws upon our understanding of future challenges. With this new strategic plan, we choose to build Swinburne as the prototype of a new and different university – one that is truly of Technology, of Innovation and of Entrepreneurship, and proud of it. We are committed to a differentiated university proposition in education and research, so that:

• Every Swinburne learner gets a work experience
• Every Swinburne graduate gets a job
• Every Swinburne partner gets a tech solution
• Swinburne is the prototype of global best practice

The achievement of our 2025 moon shots depends on our capacity to work collectively, always, as One Swinburne.

How to apply and further information
Please submit your CV and cover letter addressing your suitability for this position.

To review the Position Description and to apply, please scroll down to the bottom of the page.

If you are viewing this advert from an external site, please click ‘apply’ and you will be redirected to Swinburne’s Jobs website to access the Position Description at the bottom of the page.

Please Note: Appointment to this position is subject to passing a Working with Children Check.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your application, please contact the Swinburne Talent Acquisition Team on talentacquisition@swin.edu.au

Applications Close: Thursday 6th February 2025, 11pm

Swinburne offers flexible working options contained in our leave and parenting/carer policies to support work-life balance.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Swinburne has become a world-class university, driving social and economic impacts through science, technology, and innovation. As a dual-sector university, our vision is for people and technology working together to build a better world.

Central to our vision is our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We pride ourselves on being an equal opportunity employer focused on attracting, retaining, and developing great talent. We work to remove barriers related to gender identity, culture, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, and age.

We strongly encourage applicants from diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Our Moondani Toombadool Centre leads our Indigenous education and culture at Swinburne, guided by community wisdom and leadership.

We support applicants with disabilities. Adjustments can be requested at any time during the recruitment process. For Reasonable Adjustment requests, including accessible formats for the PD, application form or any other document, please contact at DCR@swin.edu.au or call +61 3 9214 3550.

Victoria’s Commitment to Action: Improving international student employment outcomes.
As a signatory to Victoria’s Commitment to Action, Swinburne seeks to remove barriers to international graduate employment. We welcome and encourage applications from international graduates.

(Agency enquiries will not be accepted for this position)