Project Scholarships

Project scholarships provide a stipend and other benefits to support higher degree candidates undertaking research in a predefined project.

You are required to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) for review by the relevant School or Institute. Please submit your EOI at least 5 business days before the scholarship closing date to allow enough time to submit your full application. Only full applications submitted before the deadline will be considered.

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The list of currently available project scholarships is updated on a monthly basis.

Scholarships closing 31 July

Advanced Drug Delivery Strategies for Respiratory Diseases

NICM Health Research Institute

Lead Supervisor: Professor Kamal Dua

k.dua@westernsydney.edu.au

This project will involve the student in the design, development, and evaluation of advanced drug delivery systems for respiratory diseases, with particular emphasis on incorporating phytoceuticals. The student will be situated within a multidisciplinary research environment, working at the interface of pharmaceutics, nanotechnology, and pulmonary biology. They will engage in both laboratory-based formulation work and analytical assessment, gaining hands-on experience with techniques such as advanced drug delivery preparation and characterisation, and in vitro respiratory models.

The student will be expected to design and optimise delivery platforms, such as nanoparticles, liposomes, or dry powder inhalers, that can efficiently transport bioactive compounds, including plant-derived phytoceuticals, to targeted regions of the lungs. This will involve evaluating parameters such as particle size, stability, drug loading, release kinetics, and deposition behavior in the respiratory tract. They will also assess biocompatibility and therapeutic efficacy using relevant cellular or simulated lung models.

A key aspect of the project will be exploring how advanced delivery systems can enhance the bioavailability and therapeutic potential of phytoceuticals, which often face limitations such as poor solubility or rapid degradation. By integrating these compounds into novel delivery platforms, the student will contribute to the development of more effective and potentially safer alternatives or adjuncts to conventional therapies.

The potential impact of this research is significant. Respiratory diseases, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and emerging infectious conditions, represent a major global health burden. Improved delivery strategies can lead to more targeted treatments, reduced systemic side effects, and enhanced patient outcomes. Additionally, leveraging phytoceuticals and nutraceuticals within advanced delivery systems may open new pathways for sustainable and innovative therapeutics. Overall, the student's work will contribute to advancing next-generation respiratory drug delivery technologies with meaningful clinical and societal benefits.

What does the scholarship provide?

Domestic candidates will receive a tax-free stipend of $35,188 (AUD) per annum for up to 3 years to support living costs, supported by the Research Training Program (RTP) Fee Offset.
International candidates will receive a tax-free stipend of $35,188 (AUD) per annum for up to 3 years to support living costs. Those with a strong track record will be eligible for a tuition fee waiver.
International candidates are required to hold an Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) insurance policy for the duration of their study in Australia.

Eligibility criteria

We welcome applications from candidates with diverse academic backgrounds who are motivated to apply their skills to key challenges in drug delivery, with a particular focus on respiratory diseases. This project is especially suited to applicants with a strong interest in advanced drug delivery systems, their physicochemical characterisation, and both in vitro and in vivo evaluation.

Applicants should meet one of the following academic requirements:

(i) an Australian First Class Bachelor (Honours) degree

(ii) a coursework Master’s degree with a minimum 25% research component

(iii) a Research Master’s degree or

(iv) an equivalent qualification from an overseas institution.

Candidates must demonstrate strong academic performance in relevant disciplines, such as drug delivery, pharmaceutics, pharmacology, immunology, or microbiology. A sound understanding of the importance and potential of advanced drug delivery systems is highly desirable.

The successful applicant will be expected to develop or further their expertise in cellular and molecular techniques and show a clear commitment to interdisciplinary research. A high level of enthusiasm, motivation, and readiness to undertake advanced study are essential.

International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency.

Applications close: 31 July 2026

PS2026_036_CS0844250_NICM

Understanding the mastery of multiple languages and dialects: A computational approach

MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development

Lead Supervisor: Professor Paola Escudero

paola.escudero@westernsydney.edu.au

This PhD project is part of a funded ARC Discovery Project entitled Understanding the mastery of multiple languages and dialects. Summary of the Discovery project: This project will provide a unifying theory of how subsequent languages are acquired after mastering two languages or dialects. Expected outcomes include a deep understanding of how multilingual and multidialect mastery proceeds, how these are represented in the brain, and how they manifest in communicative contexts.

The PhD candidate will work on connecting the project's computational model with the corpus testing, including linguistic and statistical analysis and write-up of journal articles and a PhD thesis. They will also assist with data management and corpus cleaning. They will also conduct online testing for 250 sessions spread over years 1 and 2, including participant recruitment, and therefore the PhD candidate should have experience with conducting either computational and empirical studies and be interested in learning one of the two methodologies if they do not have experience with it.

Primary supervision will be provided by Professor Paola Escudero Lead CI of the ARC Discovery project, with external co-supervision by co-CI A/Prof Chloe Diskin-Holdaway and PI Dr Kakeru Yazawa.

What does the scholarship provide?

Domestic candidates will receive a tax-free stipend of $35,188 (AUD) per annum for up to 3 years to support living costs, supported by the Research Training Program (RTP) Fee Offset.
Support for conference attendance, fieldwork and additional costs as approved by School/Institute.

Eligibility criteria

We welcome applicants with a background in computational, statistical and corpus linguistics with demonstrated skills in computational programming languages for linguistic analysis.

The successful applicant should:

Hold qualifications and experience equal to one of the following in the are of Corpus or Computational Linguistics:
- an Australian First Class Bachelor (Honours) degree,
- coursework Masters with at least 25% research component,
- Research Masters degree, or
- equivalent overseas qualifications.
Demonstrate strong academic performance in Computational and Corpus Linguistics.
Ability to program in a variety of computational languages.
Have an understanding of the importance of computational and corpus methods for analysing linguistic data.
Be willing to learn to program and conduct computational and empirical experiments to collect linguistic data.
Be enthusiastic and highly motivated to undertake further study at an advanced level.

Applications close: 31 July 2026

PS2025_CS0550452_MARCS

Vocal mimicry in the Toothbilled Bowerbird

Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment

Lead Supervisor: Dr. Anastasia Dalziell

a.dalziell@westernsydney.edu.au

The Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment (HIE) at Western Sydney University is offering a research scholarship to a highly motivated PhD candidate to investigate the vocal mimicry of the Toothbilled Bowerbird. The PhD candidate’s work will be part of an Australian Research Council Discovery Project investigating vocal mimicry in Australian songbirds. This research program is a collaboration between the HIE, The Australian National University, Exeter University (UK), and the University of the Pacific (USA).

Vocal mimicry is widespread among songbirds, yet much remains unknown about the evolutionary origin and maintenance of this trait. While the most conspicuous forms of vocal mimicry are typically performed by male birds during courtship; both sexes often mimic, and mimicry can function across multiple ecological contexts. Increasing our knowledge of the ecology of vocal mimicry in the region where birdsong began – Australia – will help provide a more thorough understanding of vocal mimicry and the evolution of vocal learning.

The toothbilled bowerbird is a versatile and accurate vocal mimic restricted to the tropical montane forests of north Queensland. Little is known about the form and function of their vocal mimicry, especially outside male courtship displays.

This PhD project will combine fieldwork with data analysis to assess vocal mimicry in toothbilled bowerbirds in both sexes and across socioecological contexts, including at display courts and nests. This project will then synthesise this new knowledge in the context of other known Australian vocal mimics.

The PhD candidate will be supervised by Dr Anastasia Dalziell (HIE), together with Prof Justin Welbergen (HIE), Prof Jo Madden (Exeter, UK) Dr Lyanne Brouwer (James Cook University, Townsville, Australia) and Dr Fiona Backhouse (HIE), and in collaboration with researchers involved in the ARC Discovery Project. The successful applicant is anticipated to commence work in 2026.

Western Sydney University is ranked 1st in the world by the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings for its success in delivering the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

What does the scholarship provide?

Candidates will receive a tax-free stipend of $35,188 (AUD) per annum for 3 years to support living costs, supported by the Research Training Program (RTP) Fee Offset.
Operational costs are covered under the overarching ARC Discovery Project.
Support is also included for conference attendance, fieldwork, and additional costs, as approved by the HIE.

Eligibility Criteria

We welcome applicants from a range of backgrounds who are keen to apply their skills to key questions in animal behavioural ecology and evolution. In particular, the project is suitable for candidates with strong interests in avian ecology and evolution.

This application is open to domestic students only.

The successful applicant should:

hold qualifications and experience equal to one of the following (i) an Australian First Class Bachelor (Honours) degree, (ii) coursework Masters with at least 25% research component, (iii) Research Masters degree, or (iv) equivalent overseas qualifications.
demonstrate strong academic performance in subjects relevant to behavioural ecology or related disciplines. Previous experience with the quantitative analysis of acoustic and visual data would be considered a distinct advantage, as would be the ability to identify bird sounds by ear.
be able to work in challenging, remote locations, for protracted periods, under tropical montane conditions.
be able to work as part of a team of national and international researchers and liaise with landholders.
be enthusiastic and highly motivated to undertake further study at an advanced level.

Applications close: 31 July 2026

PS2025_CS0682757_HIE

Legal needs, access to justice and intersecting inequalities

Institute for Culture & Society

Lead Supervisor: Catherine Hastings

c.hastings@westernsydney.edu.au

This PhD project aims to contribute theoretical and applied knowledge to better understand inequalities in people's experiences of legal problems and the opportunities for meaningful reforms that address intersectional disadvantages.

The law permeates everyday life, influencing and regulating personal relationships, health, education, employment, housing, and our interactions with governments. Legal problems affect most people at some point in their lives. However, the likelihood of experiencing such problems varies across population groups, with individuals living in socioeconomic disadvantage more likely to face legal problems, including multiple and more complex legal issues. Unresolved legal problems (or unmet legal needs) can escalate and compound disadvantage, inequality and poverty for those already experiencing hardship, resulting in social and economic costs for individuals and communities.

This is a unique PhD opportunity for an HDR candidate to develop impactful research across academic and industry settings. It will be part of an ARC DECRA project that will generate critical realist causal explanations of why and how legal problems arise for clients of Australia's tax-funded legal assistance sector (www.legalneedsproject.org). It will also contribute to the work of the Law and Justice Foundation of NSW, an independent statutory body, whose multidisciplinary team undertakes mixed-methods research on inequalities in access to justice, legal assistance service provision and evidence-based justice system reform (www.lawfoundation.net.au).

This PhD project should align with the aims of these two partners, but can focus on a particular affected population, type of legal issue, experience of legal need, specific context, aspect of the legal assistance sector's work or other relevant topic.

The HDR candidate will be based at the Institute for Culture & Society (ICS), located in Parramatta. They will also have an opportunity to work with the Foundation's interdisciplinary team on a large-scale national legal needs survey.

The PhD project will commence on 14 September 2026.

What does the scholarship provide?

Domestic students will receive a tax-free stipend of $45,188 per annum to support living costs, supported by the Research Training Program (RTP) Fee Offset.
Support for conference attendance, fieldwork and additional costs as approved by ICS.

Eligibility Criteria

We welcome applicants with a disciplinary background in sociology, law, human geography, psychology, public health, social work, cultural studies or other relevant fields. Contact Dr Catherine Hastings to discuss your eligibility, the project requirements and your intention to apply.

The successful applicant should:

Hold qualifications and experience equal to one of the following (i) an Australian First Class Bachelor (Honours) degree, (ii) coursework Masters with at least 25% research component, (iii) Research Masters degree, or (iv) equivalent overseas qualifications.
Demonstrate strong academic performance in subjects relevant to the project.
Have an authentic interest in access to justice and the Australian legal assistance sector, a solid understanding of intersectional disadvantage, and be motivated by a concern for social justice.
Be willing to learn skills in descriptive interpretation of quantitative data or develop their knowledge of more complex statistical methods, ideally proposing a mixed-methods methodology as part of their proposal.
Be enthusiastic and highly motivated to undertake further study at an advanced level.
Have experience in human-centred service delivery or policy making in human services or legal assistance contexts (highly regarded but not essential).

The scholarship is limited to domestic students.

Applications close: 31 July 2026

PS2026_043_CS0856569_ICS

Bio-inspired toughening of composite wind turbine structures

School of Engineering

Lead Supervisor: Dr Anil Ravindran

a.ravindran@westernsydney.edu.au

Project Overview

This ARC DECRA and Western Sydney University funded PhD project investigates bio-inspired, multi-scale toughening strategies to revolutionize carbon fibre composites for next-generation 15MW offshore wind turbines. Currently, the composite spar-caps used in these massive structures suffer from brittle failure, matrix cracking, and low impact tolerance. Inspired by the hierarchical architecture of natural materials like bone and nacre, this project will develop novel composites using a hybrid blend of nano- and micron-scale fillers to drastically improve structural durability, fracture toughness, damage tolerance and samage prognosis of composite structures used in wind turbines.

Role & Responsibilities

The successful candidate will drive the end-to-end development of these advanced materials. Core responsibilities include optimizing manufacturing frameworks and methodologies of traditional composite manufacturing processes.. The student will rigorously evaluate the materials through quasi-static and cyclic fracture toughness testing, alongside low-velocity impact assessments and structural analysis. Furthermore, the candidate will perform advanced microstructural characterization (using SEM and µ-CT) and pioneer an in-situ structural health monitoring system. This system will integrate electrical resistance measurements with machine-learning-enhanced Digital Image Correlation (DIC) to track damage in real-time.

Location

The PhD candidate will be based within the School of Engineering at Western Sydney University (WSU), utilizing state-of-the-art advanced manufacturing and composite testing infrastructure.

Research Impact

Ultimately, this project addresses the pressing mechanical limitations of existing renewable energy technology. By engineering lighter, more damage-tolerant, and structurally intelligent turbine blades, this research will directly support global efforts to expand high-capacity offshore wind generation. The outcomes will play a vital role in accelerating the transition toward net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, while yielding advanced manufacturing techniques directly transferable to the aerospace and civil engineering sectors.

What does the scholarship provide?

This scholarship is only available to Domestic candidates/applicants.
Domestic candidates will receive a tax-free stipend of $40,109.00 (AUD) per annum for up to 3 years to support living costs, supported by the Research Training Program (RTP) Fee Offset.
Support for conference attendance, fieldwork and additional costs as approved by School/Institute.

Eligibility Criteria

We welcome applicants from a range of engineering backgrounds, who are keen to apply their skills to key issues in advanced manufacturing, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, design engineering, aerospace engineering and material science. In particular, the project is suitable for candidates with strong interests in composite materials, fracture mechanics, structural health monitoring, and/or renewable energy technologies.

Hold qualifications and experience equal to one of the following (i) an Australian First Class Bachelor (Honours) degree in engineering (Mechanical, Aerospace, Civil Engineering), (ii) coursework Masters with at least 25% research component, (iii) Research Masters degree, or (iv) equivalent overseas qualifications.
Demonstrate strong academic performance in subjects relevant to solid mechanics, materials science, composite structures, finite element analysis, data analysisand manufacturing processes.
Have an understanding of the importance of lightweight structural integrity and damage tolerance for next-generation wind turbines. Have a strong understanding exposure to composite manufacturing, testing and characterisation techniques.
Be willing to learn advanced composite manufacturing processes (such as LCM and VARTM), mechanical testing methodologies, mechanical testing and microstructural characterization techniques (including SEM and µ-CT).
Be enthusiastic and highly motivated to undertake further study at an advanced level.

Applications close: 31 July 2026

PS2026_045_CS0815712_SoENG

Neuromorphic Algorithms for Maritime Sensing

MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development

Lead Supervisor: Doctor Ying Xu and Professor Gregory Cohen

ying.xu@westernsydney.edu.au

g.cohen@westernsydney.edu.au

This scholarship project will contribute to the development of neuromorphic algorithms for robust maritime perception, detection, and monitoring in challenging marine environments. Maritime platforms such as autonomous surface vessels, underwater vehicles, buoys, and coastal monitoring systems require reliable sensing methods that can operate under difficult conditions, including low visibility, strong background noise, dynamic waves, cluttered scenes, and limited power availability.

The project will investigate neuromorphic sensing and computing approaches inspired by biological perception systems, with a focus on event-based vision, neuromorphic acoustic processing, and multi-modal sensor fusion. Unlike conventional frame-based cameras and signal processing pipelines, neuromorphic methods process sparse, asynchronous changes in the environment, offering potential advantages in low-latency operation, high dynamic range, data efficiency, and real-time decision-making.

The successful candidate will develop algorithms for detecting, tracking, localising, and characterising maritime targets such as vessels, surface activity, and underwater acoustic sources. Research activities may include event-based feature extraction, acoustic signal representation, spike-based neural processing, target detection, localisation, classification, sensor fusion, and machine learning for sparse event-driven data. The project may also explore biologically inspired models for efficient perception, including cochlear processing, spiking neural networks, and neuromorphic feature learning.

The research will involve both simulation and experimental data, including maritime datasets collected from field trials. The outcomes are expected to support the development of next-generation intelligent sensing capabilities for autonomous maritime operations, environmental monitoring, and defence-related applications.

This project is suitable for a candidate with a background in electrical engineering, computer science, robotics, signal processing, machine learning, physics, or a related discipline. Experience in Python, machine learning, computer vision, acoustic signal processing, event-based data processing, or neuromorphic computing would be highly desirable.

What does the scholarship provide?

Domestic candidates will receive a tax-free stipend of $45,811 (AUD) per annum for up to 3 years to support living costs, supported by the Research Training Program (RTP) Fee Offset.
Support for conference attendance, fieldwork and additional costs as approved by School/Institute.
Access to a range of competitive internal funding and development opportunities, including:
- Anne Cutler Memorial Travel Grant (up to $50,000 - $80,000 AUD awarded annually)
- Denis Burnham Award (up to $5,000 AUD awarded annually)
- MARCS Writing Fellowships ($8,000 AUD awarded quarterly)

Eligibility Criteria

We welcome applicants who are keen to apply their skills to key challenges in neuromorphic sensing. In particular, this project is suitable for candidates with strong interests in electrical engineering, computer science, robotics, signal processing, machine learning, physics, or a related discipline.

The successful applicant should:

Hold qualifications and experience equivalent to one of the following:

- Australian First Class Bachelor (Honours) degree;

- Coursework Masters degree with at least 25% research component;

- Research Masters degree;

- Equivalent overseas qualifications; or

- Other research experience, and demonstrated research capability considered equivalent by the University.

Demonstrate strong academic performance in subjects relevant to neuromorphic sensing, signal processing, machine learning, computer vision, robotics, or related areas.
Have an understanding of the importance of maritime sensing for autonomous systems, environmental monitoring, and defence-related applications.
Be willing to learn and apply neuromorphic engineering methods to real-world sensing problems.
Be enthusiastic, self-motivated, and capable of undertaking research at an advanced level.

Applications close: 31 July 2026

PS2026_050_CS0889076_MARCS

Agrisolar Integration for Future Sustainable Horticulture

Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment

Lead Supervisor: Professor Oula Ghannoum

o.ghannoum@westernsydney.edu.au

This project will appoint one domestic GRS-funded HDR student as part of the ARC Training Centre for Smart and Sustainable Horticulture collaboration between industry and research institutions to develop new cropping opportunities for the protected cropping industry. The project will contribute to the education and training of students and personnel for the protected cropping industry.

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to join an exciting research initiative within the Horticulture sector, with a special focus on protected cropping systems (e.g. greenhouses, polytunnels, and indoor vertical farms). This project aims to develop low-input, and low-carbon technologies and policies to strengthen the sustainability of the Horticultural sector.

This project investigates how solar energy technologies can be integrated into protected horticulture systems, incorporating agrivoltaic solutions to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions while maintaining or improving crop productivity. Using existing industry and international datasets, the research will analyse trade-offs between light interception, crop growth, and energy generation in energy intensive protected cropping systems. The project will begin with data analysis and modelling and will involve collaboration with relevant industry partners (e.g., SunBioSys) and on campus demonstration facilities.

This ARC Training Centre for Smart and Sustainable Horticulture (TC-SaSH) is a collaboration between the University of Western Australia, Australian National University, University of Adelaide (UoA), and University NSW. The project will be conducted at the Western Sydney University node of the TC-SaSH on the Hawkesbury Campus.

The project is led by Professor Benjamin Smith, Professor Oula Ghannoum and Associate Professor Robert Sharwood, supported by a team of plant physiologists at the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment (HIE). HIE is a research institute within WSU and has rapidly become a research leader in plant environmental and ecological research, with a strong reputation for delivering research outcomes of the highest quality. This research will uncover the novel germplasm for high-level production inside a protected environment.

What does the scholarship provide?

Domestic candidates will receive a tax-free stipend of $40,000 (AUD) per annum for up to 3 years to support living costs, supported by the Research Training Program (RTP); and
Tuition fees covered by the Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP); and
Support for laboratory and fieldwork, and additional costs as approved by the Institute.

The Scholarship excludes:

Travel costs, visa costs, relocation expenses and other expenses.

Eligibility Criteria

We welcome applicants from a range of backgrounds, who are keen to apply their skills to key issues in solar energy technologies or crop physiology in protected facilities. In particular, the project is suitable for candidates with strong interests in energy and crop modelling using state-of-the-art models and experimental systems to assess parameters that influence carbon, water and energy dynamics in various horticultural systems.

This opportunity is open to domestic applicants only. Domestic applicants (Australian citizens, permanent residents and New Zealand citizens) are eligible to apply if they meet the following criteria.

The successful applicant should:

Hold qualifications and experience equal to one of the following (i) an Australian First Class Bachelor (Honours) degree, (ii) coursework master's with at least 25% research component, (iii) Research Master's degree, or (iv) equivalent overseas qualifications.
Demonstrate strong academic performance in subjects relevant to process-based modelling of crop performance.
Demonstrate experience with advanced statistical methods and data-set analysis using statistical software packages (e.g. R).
Background knowledge in plant physiology or ecology, and the application of quantitative methods in these or related fields is highly desirable.
Have good oral and written communications skills and be highly motivated to progress research in a timely manner.
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work independently on complex, interdisciplinary problems at the intersection of machine learning and plant science.
Good written and oral communication skills in English, suitable for publishing research findings and presenting at international conferences.
Willingness to engage with real-world greenhouse data collection and collaborate with horticultural researchers.

Applications close: 31 July 2026

PS2026_051_CS0858162_HIE

Mechanics and Shape Memory Behaviour of Origami-Inspired Structures

School of Engineering

Leader Supervisor: Dr Jianjun Zhang

jianjun.zhang@westernsydney.edu.au

This ARC DP project aims to understand the mechanisms and mechanics of origami materials and structures under dynamic loading, with a special focus on the mechanical performance and shape memory behavior of origamis with shape memory effect. This research addresses critical challenges in engineering resilience and adaptability. By unlocking the potential of origami-inspired smart structures, this project aims to contribute to next-generation applications of origami in fields such as aerospace, protective engineering, and soft robotics. The outcomes of this project will provide fundamental insights into design and manufacturing of origami materials/structures with enhanced shape memory performance and energy absorption and structural efficiency, ultimately advancing the development of structural materials that can respond intelligently to their environment.

Through this project, candidates will gain professional training in skills at analytical modelling, dynamic testing and also build the knowledge framework of origami engineering, impact engineering and additive manufacturing, e.g., developing novel origami patterns that integrate shape-memory materials to achieve adaptive reconfiguration, utilizing state-of-the-art facilities to capture dynamic structural responses, interpreting complex deformation data to refine predictive models for smart structural systems.

The candidates will be based at Western Sydney University and will work within a collaborative, research-intensive environment in the Centre for Advanced Manufacturing Technology. They will have access to advanced testing facilities and be part of a vibrant team of researchers dedicated to advanced materials, smart structures, additive manufacturing, and mechanical engineering. The candidate will also benefit from our established research collaborations with national and international experts in the relevant fields.

What does the scholarship provide?

The successful applicants will receive a tax-free stipend of $35,188 (AUD) per annum for up to 3 years to support living costs.
A domestic candidate will be supported by the Research Training Program (RTP) Fee Offset, while an international candidate will receive an International Tuition Fee Waiver for up to four years.
Support for conference attendance, fieldwork and other research-related costs as approved by School/Institute.

Eligibility Criteria

We welcome applicants with strong academic backgrounds in Mechanics, Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering, Engineering Materials or other relevant areas. Research experience in design and analysis of origami materials/structures, mechanical analysis of shape memory polymers/alloys, and additive manufacturing of structural materials are preferable.

Successful applicants should:

Hold qualifications and experience equal to one of the following (i) an Australian First Class Bachelor (Honours) degree, (ii) coursework Master with at least 25% research component, (iii) Research Master’s degree, or (iv) equivalent overseas qualifications;
Have excellent academic records and meet the minimum English requirement for PhD admission at Western Sydney University;
Experience in origami materials and structures, shape memory polymers/alloys, mechanical analysis of structural materials is desired;
Have good academic writing capability with publications in quality journals;
Be enthusiastic and highly motivated to undertake further study at an advanced level.

Applications close: 31 July 2026

PS2026_053_CS0891004_SoENG

Exploring the Body's Natural Protection Pathways to Support Healthy Ageing: Mechanistic Insights and Validation of Synergistic Electrolyzed Water Supplementation

NICM Health Research Institute

Lead Supervisor: Phoebe Zhou

p.zhou@westernsydney.edu.au

This project aims to explore how cells protect themselves from stress and oxidants, focusing on a natural endogenous protein Nrf2 that activates the cells' own antioxidant and anti-inflammatory defences. We will also test how electrolysed water-based health supplements influence the oxidative stress in the genetic and protein level.

Significance:

The research will deepen the understanding of cellular genetic responses to stress and resilience. The generated scientific evidence will support the innovative development of anti-aging supplements and align with the global shift toward generesponsive and consumer-personalised health products.

Expected outcomes:

We expect to identify key genes and pathways involved in cellular response against oxidative stress and how they are affected both naturally and through supplementations. These insights will guide future product innovation.

Benefits:

This work will benefit consumers and complementary medicine industry that leverage redox innovation to improve wellbeing in aging populations

What does the scholarship provide?

Domestic candidates will receive a tax-free stipend of $35,188 (AUD) per annum for up to 3.5 years to support living costs, supported by the Research Training Program (RTP) Fee Offset.
International candidates will receive a tax-free stipend of $35,188 (AUD) per annum for up to 3.5 years to support living costs. Those with a strong track record will be eligible for a tuition fee waiver.
International candidates are required to hold an Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) insurance policy for the duration of their study in Australia.

Eligibility criteria

The ideal PhD candidate will need to have a strong background in molecular biology, biochemistry, or pharmacology, with a focus on cellular signalling pathways and antioxidant mechanisms. Experience in cell culture techniques, including cell culture, and molecular assays such as qPCR, Western blotting, and transcriptomic analysis (RNA-seq) is essential. Familiarity with bioinformatics and data analysis, including basic programming or machine learning applications, will be advantageous. The candidate should possess excellent communication skills for effective collaboration with industry partners and consumer engagement. A demonstrated interest in healthy ageing, nutraceuticals, or natural product research will be highly valued. Strong organisational skills, independence in research, and the ability to manage multi-disciplinary projects in both laboratory and community settings are also required. The candidate must be motivated to integrate scientific research with commercial translation and regulatory compliance.

Applications close: 31 July 2026

PS2026_040_CS0861057_NICM

3D Printing of Recycled Thermoplastic Nanocomposite: Design, Modelling, Fabrication and Testing

School of Engineering

Lead Supervisor: Richard Yang

r.yang@westernsydney.edu.au

This ARC DP project aims to develop a novel 3D printing technology, Fused Granular Fabrication, to integrate innovative nanotechnology and high-performance 3D-printed nanocomposites using recycled plastic reinforced with carbon nanoadditives. It will focus on fabrication, testing, characterisation, modelling, optimal design, and optimal 3D printing for the enhancement of material properties using nanoadditives. This project will deliver sustainable manufacturing solutions for the urgent and critical plastic waste management issue for the nation and the world. The 3D-printed nanocomposites developed with superior mechanical, thermal and electrical properties could be widely used in primary industries such as aerospace, automotive and electronics.

This project will develop an innovative 3D printing method, Fused Granular Fabrication, to effectively print high-performance nanocomposites using recycled plastic, polylactic acid (PLA), noting the tonnes of waste created and the associated environmental and economic impacts. It addresses one of Australian Science and Research Priorities – Advanced Manufacturing. The research will generate a sustainable manufacturing solution for plastic waste management and deliver high-performance recycled materials. It will maximise plastic waste recycling and reuse, contributing to the circular economy and Net Zero. In addition, the high performance of the materials will be achieved through the applications of novel carbon nanoadditives and nanotechnology.

The PhD scholarship is funded by Graduate Research School (GRS), WSU of $35,188 per year for three years. A top-up scholarship of $5,000 per year for three years will be also provided by the School of Engineering (SoEng), WSU. Tuition fee will be waived by the university for the PhD candidate, who is offered the scholarship. The PhD student will be supervised by Prof Richard (Chunhui) Yang as the Principal Supervisor and co-supervised by Adjunct Prof. Yixia (Sarah) Zhang and Distinguished Professor Brian Falzon.

We are now offering this research scholarship to a highly motivated PhD candidate.

What does the scholarship provide?

Student will receive a tax-free stipend of $40,188 per annum for three years to support living costs. For domestic student, tuition fees will be supported by an Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Fees Offset.
Support for conference attendance, fieldwork and additional costs for materials/consumables/small equipment, up to $4,600 per year as approved by School/Institute.

Eligibility criteria

We welcome applicants with strong academic backgrounds in Engineering Mechanics, Computational Mechanics, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Materials or other relevant areas such as Physical Sciences with experience in laser technology. Research experience in composites and nanocomposites and 3D pritning technology inclduing both Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) and Fused Granulate Fabrication (FGF) are desired although not compulsory.

The successful applicant should:

Hold qualifications and experience equal to one of the following (i) an Australian First Class Bachelor (Honours) degree, (ii) coursework Masters with at least 25% research component, (iii) Research Master’s degree, or (iv) equivalent overseas qualifications;

Have excellent academic records and meet the minimum English requirement for PhD admission at Western Sydney University;
Experience on omposites and nanocomposites and 3D pritning technology inclduing both Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) and Fused Granulate Fabrication (FGF) is desired although not compulsory
Experience on computational mechanics/numerical modelling is desired.
Have good academic writing capability with publications in quality journals;
Be enthusiastic and highly motivated to undertake further study at an advanced level
Good communication and team work skills.

Applications close: 31 July 2026

PS2026_044_CS0441580_SoENG

Future-Proofing Australian Truffles: Climate Resilience & Sustainability

Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment

Lead Researcher: Professor Jeff Powell

jeff.powell@westernsydney.edu.au

The Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment (HIE) is offering a research scholarship to a highly motivated PhD candidate to work within a team quantifying environmental impacts and benefits associated with the truffle industry. The project is funded by AgriFutures Australia.

This project will prioritise carbon emissions and opportunities for carbon sequestration on-farm and associated with supply chains. Other waste forms (packaging, nutrients) and opportunities for resource efficiencies/circular economies (water, nutrients) will also be investigated. Frameworks associated with other industries (e.g., horticulture, forestry) for evaluating compliance with the Emissions Reduction Fund will be investigated for their compatibility with the truffle industry.

The Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment (HIE) is a research institute within Western Sydney University. The HIE has rapidly become a leader in agroforestry and fungal research, with a strong reputation for delivering research outcomes of the highest quality. The project will be based at HIE with the opportunity to work with truffle farmers, nurseries and processors, as well as with collaborating researchers across Australia.

What does the scholarship provide?

The successful applicant will receive a tax-free stipend of $42,500 (AUD) per annum with indexation for three years to support living costs, with the possibility to extend the scholarship by up to six months if required.
A domestic candidate will be supported by the Research Training Program (RTP) Fee Offset, while an international candidate will receive an International Tuition Fee Waiver for up to four years.
International candidates are required to hold an Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) insurance policy for the duration of their study in Australia.
Support for conference attendance, fieldwork and additional costs as approved by the Institute.

Eligibility criteria

We welcome applicants from a range of backgrounds, who are keen to apply their skills to key issues in sustainable truffle production and developing novel understanding and tools that are of value to the Australian Truffle industry. In particular, the project is suitable for candidates with strong interests in sustainability, carbon accounting, and how this applies within the framework of a working truffle farm.

The successful applicant should:

hold qualifications and/or experience equal to one of the following (i) an Australian First Class Bachelor (Honors) degree, (ii) coursework Masters with at least 25% research component, (iii) Research Master’s degree, or (iv) equivalent overseas qualifications.
Demonstrate strong academic performance in subjects relevant to ecological economics and/or agricultural resource management.
Demonstrate understanding of farm and small-business management and economics
Possess a background with hands-on experience in Life Cycle Analysis or related methods and have an interest in circular economies and decarbonisation.
Demonstrated ability to communicate with growers
Be enthusiastic and highly motivated to undertake further study at an advanced level.

Applications close: 31 July 2026

PS2026_038_CS0851961_HIE

Understanding the mastery of multiple languages and dialects: A computational approach

MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development

Lead Supervisor: Professor Paola Escudero

paola.escudero@westernsydney.edu.au

Primary supervision will be provided by Professor Paola Escudero Lead CI of the ARC Discovery project, with external co-supervision by co-CI A/Prof Chloe Diskin-Holdaway, PI Dr Kakeru Yazawa and postdoctoral fellow Dr Jooyoung Lee.

What does the scholarship provide?

Domestic candidates will receive a tax-free stipend of $35,188 (AUD) per annum for up to 3 years to support living costs, supported by the Research Training Program (RTP) Fee Offset.
International candidates will receive a tax-free stipend of $35,188 (AUD) per annum for up to 3 years to support living costs. Those with a strong track record will be eligible for a tuition fee waiver.
International candidates are required to hold an Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) insurance policy for the duration of their study in Australia.

Eligibility criteria

We welcome international applicants with a background in computational, statistical and corpus linguistics with demonstrated skills in computational programming languages for linguistic analysis.

The successful applicant should:

Hold qualifications and experience equal to one of the following in the are of Corpus or Computational Linguistics:
- an Australian First Class Bachelor (Honours) degree,
- coursework Masters with at least 25% research component,
- Research Masters degree, or
- equivalent overseas qualifications.
Demonstrate strong academic performance in Computational and Corpus Linguistics.
Ability to program in a variety of computational languages.
Have an understanding of the importance of computational and corpus methods for analysing linguistic data.
Be willing to learn to program and conduct computational and empirical experiments to collect linguistic data.
Be enthusiastic and highly motivated to undertake further study at an advanced level.

Applications close: 31 July 2026

PS2026_023_CS0801950_MARCS

Hybrid nanoreinforced recycled concrete for sustainable building

School of Built Environment & Design

Lead Researcher: Distinguished Professor Vivian Tam

v.tam@westernsydney.edu.au

The desirable candidate must have a strong background and experience in interdisciplinary projects, including civil engineering, materials engineering, or construction management. Experimental work may be required for this project. The candidate may be required to perform model development, optimisation, and programming. This project aims to develop a durable recycled concrete using nanotechnology that can store and release thermal energy in response to temperature changes. This research will unveil fundamental insights into producing defect-free few-layer graphene dispersion from graphite and will explore the hybrid nanoreinforcement effect on the properties of phase change material-infused recycled concrete to address critical issues of poor bonding, a porous microstructure, and low thermal performance. The expected outcome is to develop a sustainable building material that can significantly reduce energy demand for heating and cooling in buildings, contributing to a net-zero emissions future and cost savings in the construction industry.

What does the scholarship provide?

Domestic candidates will receive a tax-free stipend of $35,188 (AUD) per annum for up to 3 years to support living costs, supported by the Research Training Program (RTP) Fee Offset.
Support for conference attendance, fieldwork and additional costs as approved by School/Institute.

Eligibility Criteria

The successful applicant should:

hold qualifications and experience equal to one of the following: (i) an Australian First Class Bachelor (Honours) degree, (ii) coursework Master's with at least 25% research component, (iii) Research Master’s degree, or (iv) equivalent overseas qualifications.
demonstrate strong academic performance in subjects relevant to civil engineering, material engineering or construction management.
have an understanding of the importance of recycled concrete.
be willing to learn modelling and optimisation.
be enthusiastic and highly motivated to undertake further study at an advanced level.

Applications close: 31 July 2026

PS2025_CS0430115_SoEDBE

Digital Platform for Net-Zero Building Ecosystem Lifecycle (NOBEL)

School of Built Environment & Design

Lead Researcher: Distinguished Professor Vivian Tam

v.tam@westernsydney.edu.au

The desirable candidate must have strong background and experience on inter-disciplinary projects including civil engineering, material engineering or construction management. Experimental work may be required for this project. Candidate may required to perform model development, optimisation and programming.

What does the scholarship provide?

Domestic candidates will receive a tax-free stipend of $35,188 (AUD) per annum for up to 3 years to support living costs, supported by the Research Training Program (RTP) Fee Offset.
Exceptional candidates will receive an extra $5000 top-up scholarship per annum.
Support for conference attendance, fieldwork and additional costs as approved by School/Institute.

Eligibility Criteria

The successful applicant should:

hold qualifications and experience equal to one of the following (i) an Australian First Class Bachelor (Honours) degree, (ii) coursework Masters with at least 25% research component, (iii) Research Masters degree, or (iv) equivalent overseas qualifications.
demonstrate strong academic performance in subjects relevant to civil engineering, chemistry, material engineering or construction management.
have an understanding of the importance of construction/building.
be willing to learn modelling and optimization.
be enthusiastic and highly motivated to undertake further study at an advanced level.

Applications close: 31 July 2026

PS2025_CS0548284_SoEDBE

Low-carbon calcined clay concrete for additive manufacturing

School of Engineering

Lead Supervisor: Professor Zhong Tao

z.tao@westernsydney.edu.au

This PhD project focuses on the development of low-carbon calcined clay concrete for additive manufacturing (3D concrete printing) to support Australia's transition to net-zero construction. The research will investigate sustainable calcined clay–based binders as alternatives to conventional cement systems, aiming to reduce embodied carbon while optimising rheology, printability, structural build-up, and interlayer bonding performance. The project will also evaluate mechanical strength, durability, and long-term performance of printed elements. Working within the ARC Research Hub for Infrastructure Net Zero and in collaboration with an industry partner, the candidate will undertake advanced experimental and analytical research with strong opportunities for industry engagement and real-world impact. This project offers an excellent opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge digital construction and sustainable infrastructure technologies with both academic and applied significance.

What does the scholarship provide?

Domestic candidates will receive a tax-free stipend of $36,000 (AUD) per annum for up to 3 years to support living costs, supported by the Research Training Program (RTP) Fee Offset.
International candidates will receive a tax-free stipend of $36,000 (AUD) per annum for up to 3 years to support living costs. Those with a strong track record will be eligible for a tuition fee waiver.
Additional financial support for conference attendance, fieldwork, and approved research-related expenses may be available, subject to School/Institute approval.

Eligibility criteria

We welcome applicants from a range of backgrounds with a strong interest in sustainable construction materials and digital construction technologies. In particular, the project is suitable for candidates with strong interests in low-carbon cementitious materials, concrete admixtures, calcined clay systems, and additive manufacturing (3D concrete printing).

The successful applicant should:

Hold qualifications and experience equal to one of the following (i) an Australian First Class Bachelor (Honours) degree, (ii) coursework Masters with at least 25% research component, (iii) Research Masters degree, or (iv) equivalent overseas qualifications.
Demonstrate strong academic performance in subjects relevant to construction materials, cement chemistry, structural materials, rheology, or additive manufacturing.
Have an understanding of the importance of low-carbon and sustainable construction practices.
Demonstrate willingness to develop expertise in concrete chemistry, rheology, and additive manufacturing technologies.
Be enthusiastic and highly motivated to undertake further study at an advanced level.

Applications close: 31 July 2026

PS2026_019_CS0788256_SoEng

Biomass Allocation and Yield Modelling in Protected Crops

Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment

Lead Researcher: Professor Oula Ghannoum

o.ghannoum@westernsydney.edu.au

This project will appoint one GRS HDR student as part of the ARC Training Centre for Smart & Sustainable Horticulture collaboration between industry and research institutions to develop new cropping opportunities for the protected cropping industry. The project will contribute to the education and training of students and personnel for the protected cropping industry.

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to join an exciting research initiative within protected cropping systems (e.g. greenhouses, polytunnels, and indoor vertical farms). This project aims to develop low-input, and low-carbon technologies and policies to strengthen the sustainability of the PC Sector.

This project aims to improve crop yield modelling by developing realistic biomass allocation (root–shoot partitioning) profiles for protected cropping systems. Using controlled environment data and targeted plant measurements, the student will parameterise and apply allocation models within an existing crop or ecosystem modelling framework (e.g. LPJ type models). The work will enhance the capacity of models to simulate protected crops by constraining environmental drivers and improving physiological realism, supporting broader efforts to model productivity and resource efficiency in protected horticulture.

This project is a collaboration between the ARC Training Centre for Smart & Sustainable Horticulture (TC-SaSH), University of Adelaide (UoA), University of Western Australia, Australian National University and University NSW. The project will be conducted at the Western Sydney University node of the TC-SaSH on the Hawkesbury Campus. The project is led by Professor Benjamin Smith, Professor Oula Ghannoum & Associate Professor R. Sharwood, supported by a team of plant physiologists at the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment (HIE), Professor Zhonghua Chen at the University of Adelaide and Distinguished Professor Sergey Shabala at University of Western Australia. HIE is a research institute within WSU and has rapidly become a research leader in plant environmental and ecological research, with a strong reputation for delivering research outcomes of the highest quality. This research will uncover the novel germplasm for high-level production inside a protected environment.

What does the scholarship provide?

Domestic candidates will receive a tax-free stipend of $40,000 (AUD) per annum for up to 3 years to support living costs, supported by the Research Training Program (RTP); and
Tuition fees covered by the Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) and
Support for laboratory and fieldwork, and additional costs as approved by the Institute.

The Scholarship exclude:

Travel costs, visa costs, relocation expenses and other expenses.

Eligibility Criteria

The successful applicant should:

Hold qualifications and experience equal to one of the following (i) an Australian First Class Bachelor (Honours) degree, (ii) coursework master's with at least 25% research component, (iii) Research Master's degree, or (iv) equivalent overseas qualifications.
Demonstrate strong academic performance in subjects relevant to process-based modelling of crop performance
Demonstrate experience with advanced statistical methods and data-set analysis using statistical software packages (e.g. R).
Background knowledge in plant physiology or ecology and the application of quantitative methods in these or related fields is highly desirable
Have good oral and written communication skills and be highly motivated to progress research in a timely manner.
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work independently on complex, interdisciplinary problems at the intersection of machine learning and plant science.
Good written and oral communications skills in English, suitable for publishing research findings and presenting at international conferences.
Willingness to engage with real-world greenhouse data collection and collaborate with horticultural researchers.

Applications close: 31 July 2026

PS2026_064_CS0858162_HIE

Optimising Crop Photosynthesis in Protected Systems

Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment

Lead Researcher: Professor Oula Ghannoum

o.ghannoum@westernsydney.edu.au

This project aims to screen crop varieties for optimal performance in protected cropping environments. The project will involve the combination of physiological (gas-exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence), biochemical (enzymes and metabolites) and molecular (gene expression) measurements on selected varieties to generate a full understanding of crop photosynthesis, growth and produce quality (nutritional content). The project will determine how crops respond to changes in environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, carbon dioxide, lighting). Ultimately, these findings will guide the selection of appropriate varieties that are optimised for a defined set of environmental conditions from low to medium / high technology cropping scenarios for optimal photosynthesis for plant growth.

This project is a collaboration between the ARC Training Centre for Smart & Sustainable Horticulture (TC-SaSH) and University of Adelaide (UoA). The project will be conducted at the Western Sydney University node of the TC-SaSH on the Hawkesbury Campus, University of Adelaide and University of Western Australia. The project is led by Associate Professor Robert Sharwood and Professor Oula Ghannoum, supported by a team of plant physiologists at the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment (HIE), Professor Zhonghua Chen at the University of Adelaide and Distinguished Professor Sergey Shabala at University of Western Australia. HIE is a research institute within WSU and has rapidly become a research leader in plant environmental and ecological research, with a strong reputation for delivering research outcomes of the highest quality. This research will uncover the novel germplasm for high-level production inside a protected environment.

What does the scholarship provide?

Domestic candidates will receive a tax-free stipend of $40,000 (AUD) per annum for up to 3 years to support living costs, supported by the Research Training Program (RTP); and
Tuition fees covered by the Australian Government Research Training Program (TRP); and
Support for laboratory and fieldwork, and additional costs as approved by the Institute

The scholarship exlcudes:

Travel costs, visa costs, relocation expenses and other expenses.

Eligibility Criteria

We welcome applicants from a range of backgrounds, who are keen to apply their skills to key issues in crop physiology in protected facilities. In particular, the project is suitable for candidates with strong interests in photosynthesis and using state-of-the-art equipment to assess parameters that influence carbon assimilation.

The successful applicant should:

Hold qualifications and experience equal to one of the following (i) An Australian First Class Bachelor (Honours) degree, (ii) coursework master's with at least 25% research component, (iii) Research Master's degree, or (iv) equivalent overseas qualifications.
Demonstrate strong academic performance in subjects relevant to crop photosynthesis, including leaf gas-exchange, biochemistry (assays of enzymes and metabolites), and/or molecular biology (gene expression).
Demonstrate experience with advanced statistical methods and data-set analysis using statistical software packages (e.g. R).
Have good oral and written communication skills and be highly motivated to progress research in a timely manner.
Must demonstrate English language proficiency
Background knowledge in plant physiology or ecology is highly desirable.
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work independently on complex, interdisciplinary problems at the intersection of machine learning and plant science.
Willingness to engage with real-world greenhouse data collection and collaborate with horticultural researchers.

Applications close: 31 July 2026

PS2026_065_CS0858162_HIE

Instrumented Composite Infusion Rig for Digital Twin Flow Monitoring and Defect Mapping

School of Engineering

Lead Supervisor: Distinguished Professor Brian Falzon

b.falzon@westernsydney.edu.au

About the Project

RIFT is widely used but highly sensitive to process and material variability, which can lead to defects such as racetracking, dry spots, voids and porosity. The project will create a digital twin that ingests live sensor data, links it to physics-based models and machine learning, and supports defect prediction and proactive process adjustment during infusion.

About the PhD role (PhD1 – Experimental Stream)

You will lead the experimental program underpinning the digital twin. Your work will focus on:

Designing, building and commissioning an instrumented lab-scale RIFT rig (flat-panel mould + transparent bagging, injection/vacuum ports).
Integrating sensors and measurement systems (pressure mapping, temperature sensing, and synchronized video for flow-front tracking).
Developing repeatable experimental protocols including calibration, data acquisition, and run metadata management.
Conducting a structured experimental campaign across:
- Oil-substitute runs for rapid iteration and visualisation, and
- A defined program of real resin infusion runs to capture true material behaviour and defect formation.
Performing controlled parameter studies (e.g., viscosity via temperature, injection pressure, vacuum level, infusion strategy) and defect-induction studies.
Producing a high-quality, defect-labelled dataset that will be used to validate simulations and train surrogate models for real-time digital twin inference.

You will work closely with the project Research Fellow and other PhD students (modelling and ML streams), and your data will directly drive publications and demonstrations.

What we’re looking for

We are seeking a motivated, hands-on candidate with strong fundamentals and an interest in experimental research. Applicants should have:

Essential

First-class Honours or Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Mechanical/Aerospace/Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Science, Mechatronics, or related discipline.
Interest in experimental work and practical problem-solving in a lab environment.
Good quantitative skills and comfort working with data (MATLAB/Python desirable).
Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work in a collaborative team.

Desirable

Exposure to composites manufacturing (infusion, VARTM/RTM, vacuum bagging), polymer processing, or materials characterisation.
Experience with sensors/DAQ, calibration, or time-series data processing.
Familiarity with experimental design/DOE, uncertainty, and reproducible data workflows.

What you’ll gain

Work on a high-profile ARC project at the intersection of advanced manufacturing, sensing, data, and digital twins.
Hands-on experience establishing a modern instrumented manufacturing testbed and generating publishable experimental datasets.
Clear publication pathway with a target of at least three Q1 journal papers plus thesis.
Mentoring from an experienced, multidisciplinary supervisory team and access to strong lab and computational infrastructure.

Location

Primary location is Penrith campus, with periodic work at Parramatta as required.

What does the scholarship provide?

Domestic candidates will receive a tax-free stipend of $35,188 (AUD) per annum for up to 3 years to support living costs, supported by the Research Training Program (RTP) Fee Offset.

Applications close: 31 July 2026

PS2026_032_CS0820067_SoENG

Designing a sustained health home visiting program for incarcerated mothers caring for their children in prisons

School of Nursing & Midwifery

Lead Supervisor: Professor Lynn Kemp

lynn.kemp@westernsydney.edu.au

This project aims to design the content and processes of a sustained health home visiting (SHHV) program for mothers in prison who are pregnant and/or caring for infants and young children. There is considerable evidence that children of incarcerated parents have poor lifelong outcomes. Consequently, a number of parenting programs for incarcerated mothers have been developed and implemented, usually relating to their children in the community. These programs are often short-term and lack continuity of support for parenting as mothers (and children) move from community into prison, within prison, and from prison back to community.

The Queensland Government has recently announced a $65.52 million investment to roll-out SHHV as part of its $501.9 million "Putting Queensland Kids First" initiative. Key to this initiative is ensuring that every child receives support from conception through to their second or third birthday. Incarcerated mothers of infants and children have been identified as a priority group who misses out on receiving the support by nurses that is available in the community. Processes for implementing SHHV programs in communities are well established, however, the content and processes for delivery in the context of prisons is unknown. Context is critical in designing programs for implementation in prisons, particularly amid concerns about the compatibility between the ideologies of health and prison services. This project will use co-design to develop the context of prisons as a site for the systematic implementation of an evidence-based nurse-led SHHV program for incarcerated women and their children. Study fieldwork will be conducted in Queensland (Townsville and Ipswich).

What does the scholarship provide?

Domestic candidates will receive a tax-free stipend of $35,188 (AUD) per annum for up to 3 years to support living costs, supported by the Research Training Program (RTP) Fee Offset.
Support for conference attendance, fieldwork and additional costs as approved by School/Institute.

Eligibility Criteria

We welcome applicants from a range of backgrounds, who are keen to apply their knowledge and skills to health promotion for vulnerable populations. In particular, the project is suitable for candidates with strong interests in child and family health nursing, social work, allied health, health promotion or early years education.

Hold qualifications and experience equal to one of the following (i) an Australian First Class Bachelor (Honours) degree, (ii) coursework Masters with at least 25% research component, (iii) Research Masters degree, or (iv) equivalent overseas qualifications.
Demonstrate strong academic performance in subjects relevant to early years health, social care or education.
Have an understanding of the importance of equity and meeting the needs of vulnerable populations.
Be willing to learn co-design, translational research and implementation science methods.
Be enthusiastic and highly motivated to undertake further study at an advanced level.

Applications close: 31 July 2026

PS2026_004_CS0699657a_SoNM

Scholarships closing 31 August

Numerical and AI modelling of Screening, Briquetting and Agglomeration

School of Engineering

Lead Supervisor: Professor Kejun Dong

kejun.dong@westernsydney.edu.au

ARC Research Hub for Smart Process Design and Control aims to develop and apply advanced computational technologies to model and optimise complex multiphase processes by integrating the novel multiscale and AI modelling approaches. The outcomes include theories, computer models and simulation techniques, advanced knowledge about process modelling and optimisation, innovative technologies and processes for low carbon operations, and tens of postdoc and PhD students through academic, industrial and international collaboration. Their application will significantly improve energy/process efficiency and reduce CO2 emission. The Hub will generate a significant impact on the mineral and metallurgical industries which are important to Australia.

There are three scholarships for the following three sub projects within the Hub, respectively:

1. Particle-scale modelling and AI optimisation of screening processes.

2. Particle-scale compaction mechanics + AI-driven optimisation of briquette strength and shape

3. Multiscale modelling of interparticle forces and agglomerate growth.

What does the scholarship provide?

Domestic candidates will receive a tax-free stipend of $35,188 (AUD) per annum for up to 3 years to support living costs, supported by the Research Training Program (RTP) Fee Offset.
International candidates will receive a tax-free stipend of $35,188 (AUD) per annum for up to 3 years to support living costs. Those with a strong track record will be eligible for a tuition fee waiver.
Support for conference attendance, fieldwork and additional costs as approved by School/Institute.

Eligibility Criteria

We welcome applicants from a range of backgrounds, who are keen to contribute to the theme of the ARC Hub and the three subproject topics. In particular, the project is suitable for candidates with strong interests in numerical modelling skills (DEM, CFD, FEM and MD) and AI modellinig.

Hold qualifications and experience equal to one of the following (i) an Australian First Class Bachelor (Honours) degree, (ii) coursework Masters with at least 25% research component, (iii) Research Masters degree, or (iv) equivalent overseas qualifications.
Demonstrate strong academic performance in subjects relevant to the three topics.
Have an understanding of the importance of process modelling for control and design.
Be willing to learn the latest numerical modelling and AI skills/softwares.
Be enthusiastic and highly motivated to undertake further study at an advanced level.
International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency.

Applications close: 31 August 2026

PS2026_049_CS0886179_SoENG

Understanding links between neurodegeneration and cancer

School of Medicine

Lead Supervisor: Associate Professor Tara Roberts

tara.roberts@westernsydney.edu.au

This project focuses on two major diseases of ageing - neurodegeneration and cancer. Epidemiological data indicates that cancer rates are lower in patients with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Neuronal input into the tumour microenvironment can also enhance cancer cell growth and survival. This project will examine the processes occurring in both cancer and neurodegeneration to understand how neuronal activity is impacting on cancer growth and response to treatment.

What does the scholarship provide?

Domestic students will receive a tax-free stipend of $35,188 per annum to support living costs, supported by the Research Training Program (RTP) Fee Offset.
International students will receive a tax-free stipend of $35,188 per annum to support living costs. Those with a strong track record will be eligible for a tuition fee waiver.
International students are eligible for Overseas Student Health Cover.
Support for conference attendance and additional costs as approved by School/Institute

Eligibility Criteria

Demonstrate strong academic performance in subjects related to neurodegeneration, inflammation and/or cancer biology.
Demonstrated skills in cellular and molecular biology and willingness to learn new techniques.
Ability to work collaboratively and across sites where necessary.
Previous experience with multi-disciplinary research is desirable.
Be enthusiastic and highly motivated to undertake advanced research.

Applications close: 31 August 2026

PS2026_054_CS0892304_SoM

Optimising early recognition and timely management of sepsis among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Emergency departments

School of Nursing & Midwifery

Lead Supervisor: Dr Gladis Kabil

g.kabil@westernsydney.edu.au

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians endure a disproportionate burden of sepsis, experiencing some of the highest incidence rates globally, often presenting to hospital at a significantly younger age compared to non-Indigenous patient and with higher levels of acute physiological derangement.

This PhD project will address a critical knowledge gap regarding health equity by establishing what helps and hinders timely sepsis recognition and management among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Greater Western Sydney Local Health District Emergency departments.

The candidate will investigate cultural and systemic factors that delay care, using a theoretically informed mixed method research design to improve clinical pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients. This includes exploring access barriers to culturally respectful healthcare and the impact of the hospital interface on patient outcomes. A primary focus will be identifying what helps and hinders early recognition at the Emergency Department level to prevent the progression to critical illness. By identifying specific targets for sepsis intervention, the candidate will contribute to the development of culturally safe clinical standards and improved clinical pathways.

By improving clinical pathways, this project aligns with the national "Closing the Gap" strategy to improve life expectancy. We are seeking a candidate dedicated to dismantling healthcare inequities and fostering culturally safe clinical standards to reduce the sepsis burden for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This research offers a vital opportunity to influence both policy and clinical practice.

What does the scholarship provide?

Domestic candidates will receive a tax-free stipend of $35,188 AUD per annum for up to 3 years to
support living costs, supported by the Research Training Program (RTP) Fee Offset.

Eligibility Criteria

You need to demonstrate that you have the skills and experience to commence independent study at a suitable level for entry into a higher degree by research. To be eligible for admission, you must have completed at least one of the following:

Bachelor (Honours Class 1 or Class 2) degree
Master of Research degree
Master of Philosophy
A University or tertiary institution degree equivalent to the above.

If you do not meet the admission criteria, the approval of prior research experience or other qualifications is at the discretion of the relevant School Dean or Institute Director.

Applications close: 31 August 2026

PS2026_056_CS0889906_SoNM

Agentic AI-based framework for analysing social value creation in housing

School of Built Environment & Design

Lead Supervisor: Dr Krisanthi Seneviratne

k.seneviratne@westernsydney.edu.au

While the built environment sector plays a critical role in achieving net-zero carbon objectives, it also has a responsibility to create healthy, inclusive, equitable, and resilient communities. However, the social value generated by built environment projects remains poorly defined, measured, and integrated into decision-making processes. Social value encompasses the broader benefits delivered to individuals, communities, and society beyond economic outcomes. The Green Building Council of Australia notes that a systematic approach to designing, delivering, and measuring social value can maximise positive project outcomes (GBCA, 2024). Despite growing interest, there remains a lack of robust frameworks and practical tools to assess and demonstrate social value throughout the project lifecycle. Project aims to:

• Develop a multidimensional framework of social value in buildings

• Identify suitable IoT and home automation sensors, select case study sites, and deploy them in smart houses.

• Capture user sentiments, behaviours, and comfort levels in existing houses using sensors

• Design and develop an agentic AI solution to manage sensor data and make real-time home automation decisions to maintain occupant comfort levels.

• Develop and evaluate a customised Large Language Model (LLM)-based system capable of reviewing design-related documents and advising on building design improvements

What does the scholarship provide?

Domestic candidates will receive a tax-free stipend of $35,188 AUD per annum for up to 3 years to
support living costs, supported by the Research Training Program (RTP) Fee Offset.

Eligibility Criteria

This project is suitable for candidates with strong interests in housing construction, social value, sustainability and smart technologies.

The successful applicant should:

hold relevant qualifications and experience equal to one of the followings:

i. an Australian First Class Bachelor (Honours) degree,

ii. Coursework Masters with at least 25% research component,

iii. Research Master’s degree, or

iv. equivalent overseas qualifications.

demonstrate strong academic performance in subjects relevant to built environment, social sustainability and smart technologies.
demonstrate a passion for research related to housing, social sustainability and smart technologies
demonstrate strong communication skills and an ability to collaborate.
any work, research or publications related to built environment, social sustainability and smart technologies is a bonus.

Applications close: 31 August 2026

PS2026_059_CS0889906_SoBED

Health system effects on early recognition and timely treatment of sepsis in emergency departments

School of Nursing & Midwifery

Lead Supervisor: Dr Gladis Kabil

g.kabil@westernsydney.edu.au

Sepsis survival relies on the critical "golden hour," yet hospital-wide patient flow issues often disrupt the delivery of time-sensitive treatment. This project addresses a vital research gap by establishing how overcrowding mitigation strategies impact clinical outcomes within Greater Western Sydney Local Health District Emergency Departments. This research is essential given the high burden of sepsis, which accounts for approximately 9% of Intensive Care Unit presentations, with 81% of these requiring emergency admission.

The candidate will investigate how systemic bottlenecks hinder recognition and management within an hour of onset. For instance, you might analyse the impact of ambulance diversions, the efficacy of digital health interventions like automated alerts, or the role of workforce burnout in delaying care. This project is ideal for candidates from diverse backgrounds, such as healthcare professionals, biostatisticians, or digital health specialists, who wish to analyse large-scale system data and electronic medical records to improve clinical trajectories.

Candidates will develop advanced skills in health services research, stakeholder engagement, and data analytics. They will benefit from a multidisciplinary networking environment involving Western Sydney University and the NSW Local Health Districts. The work involves identifying clinical bottlenecks that lead to severe physiological derangement and the high resource use often seen in emergency sepsis cohorts.

The potential impact of this research is significant. By identifying and addressing systemic barriers, the project will provide evidence-based strategies to reduce sepsis-related mortality, improve patient safety, and streamline ED operations. Ultimately, this work seeks to reduce the increasing costs of public health and directly supports delivering high-impact research that improves health outcomes for vulnerable populations. This is a vital opportunity to influence both the efficiency of health services and the survival outcomes of sepsis patients.

What does the scholarship provide?

Domestic candidates will receive a tax-free stipend of $35,188 AUD per annum for up to 3 years to
support living costs, supported by the Research Training Program (RTP) Fee Offset.

Eligibility Criteria

You need to demonstrate that you have the skills and experience to commence independent study at a suitable level for entry into a higher degree by research.

To be eligible for admission, you must have completed at least one of the following:

Bachelor (Honours Class 1 or Class 2) degree
Master of Research degree
Master of Philosophy
A University degree or tertiary institution equivalent to the above.

If you do not meet the admission criteria, the approval of prior research experience or other qualifications is at the discretion of the relevant School Dean or Institute Director.

Interested Candidates from healthcare, digital health, data science, biostatistics or related fields are welcome to apply.

Applications close: 31 August 2026

PS2026_055_CS0889906_SoNM

Non-invasive brain stimulation for improving post-surgical outcomes in people with endometriosis

School of Health Sciences

Lead Supervisor: Dr Rocco Cavaleri

r.cavaleri@westernsydney.edu.au

The PhD candidate will be embedded in the Brain Stimulation and Rehabilitation (BrainStAR) Lab at Western Sydney University's Campbelltown campus, working within a multidisciplinary team spanning neuromodulation, pain science, women's health, clinical trials, and rehabilitation research. The project will examine whether altered central pain processing contributes to persistent endometriosis-related pain and whether neuromodulation may provide a feasible adjunct to surgical care.

The candidate will have the opportunity to develop skills in study design, data collection, intervention delivery, data analysis, conference presentations, and writing peer-reviewed publications. Through this work, they will develop skills in clinical trial methods, neuromodulation, EEG acquisition and analysis, biomarker assessment, quantitative and qualitative research, stakeholder engagement, and grant development.

The project has the potential to advance understanding of the neurophysiological and biological mechanisms underpinning endometriosis-related pain, identify candidate biomarkers of pain persistence and treatment response, and generate preliminary evidence for an accessible home-based intervention. These outcomes will support future external funding applications and inform larger trials aimed at improving outcomes for people undergoing surgery for endometriosis.

What does the scholarship provide?

Domestic candidates will receive a tax-free stipend of $35,188 AUD per annum for up to 3 years to
support living costs, supported by the Research Training Program (RTP) Fee Offset.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for admission, you must have completed at least one of the following:

Bachelor (Honours Class 1 or Class 2) degree
Master of Research degree
Master of Philosophy
A University degree or tertiary institution equivalent to the above.

If you do not meet the admission criteria, the approval of prior research experience or other qualifications is at the discretion of the relevant School Dean or Institute Director.

Applications close: 31 August 2026

PS2026_057_CS0889906_SoHS

Next-Generation PFAS Management: Separation, Detection and Treatment

School of Engineering

Lead Supervisor: Dr Zuhaib Siddiqui

z.siddiqui@westernsydney.edu.au

Development of a suitable separation technique to concentrate the Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), design and Testing of an established ion-selective plasma technique.

PhD1: Development and fabrication of a nano sensor and design in collaboration with PhD2 Candidate working on a separation (adsorption) and degradation using an ion-selective plasma technique.

What does the scholarship provide?

Domestic candidates will receive a tax-free stipend of $35,188 AUD per annum for up to 3 years to
support living costs, supported by the Research Training Program (RTP) Fee Offset.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants should have:
I. A Bachelor's Honours (Class I or IIA) or master’s degree in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, Environmental Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline.
II. A good academic record and a strong interest in water treatment, adsorption, environmental remediation, or materials research.
III. Basic knowledge of computational methods is desirable but not essential.
IV. Familiarity with Unix/Linux operating systems is preferred but not essential.
V. Good written and spoken English, meeting the University's PhD admission requirements.
VI. The ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary research team.

Applications close: 31 August 2026

PS2026_058_CS0889906_SoEng

From Living Lab to Curriculum: Industry-Engaged Circular Design Pedagogy for Net-Zero Built Environment Education in Western Sydney

School of Built Environment & Design

Lead Supervisor: Associate Lecturer Toktam Bashirzadeh Tabrizi

The proposed PhD will investigate how industry-engaged Living Lab case studies can transform sustainability and circular design education in the built environment. The knowledge gap is that circular economy, MMC and LCA are increasingly promoted in policy and industry, but students have limited access to Australian, evidence-rich case studies that connect real construction systems, embodied-carbon data, design-for-disassembly principles, pedagogy and industry implementation. Building on the recent Ove Arup Foundation-supported Thrive House education initiative, the candidate will develop and evaluate a transferable pedagogical framework for teaching circular/net-zero design through real projects in Western Sydney.

The candidate will: (1) map existing literature and curriculum practice in circular design, LCA, MMC and Living Lab pedagogy; (2) document and analyse selected case studies, including Thrive House and relevant design studio/research thesis projects; (3) develop teaching and research resources, such as case-study protocols, LCA/circularity evidence packs and design learning activities; (4) evaluate learning outcomes through surveys, interviews, coursework artefacts and reflective analysis; and (5) co-produce academic and industry-facing outputs.

The candidate will gain advanced skills in qualitative and mixed-methods research, LCA-informed case-study analysis, curriculum design, stakeholder engagement, publication writing and grant development. Through supervision by Dr Tabrizi, James Berry, Professor Morrison and Dr Noroozinejad, the candidate will be embedded in WSU's School of Built Environment and Design, UTRC, industry consultant networks and existing affordable/net-zero housing collaborations. The expected impact is a rigorously tested model for integrating circular design, MMC and LCA into built environment education, generating publications, future grant proposals, industry dissemination and a pipeline of research-led student projects.

What does the scholarship provide?

Domestic candidates will receive a tax-free stipend of $35,188 AUD per annum for up to 3 years to
support living costs, supported by the Research Training Program (RTP) Fee Offset.
The successful candidate will join the project Industry-Engaged Living Lab Pedagogy for Sustainability Design Education in Western Sydney’s Built Environment, working with a supervisory team across sustainability design education, circular economy, built environment research, industry engagement and Western Sydney place-based sustainability projects. The candidate will be supported to develop advanced research skills in areas such as living lab pedagogy, sustainability and circular design education, industry-engaged curriculum innovation, qualitative and/or mixed-methods research, stakeholder engagement, and research translation.
The scholarship also provides access to a collaborative research environment through the Research Activate: Momentum and Collaboration PhD Scholarships scheme, which is designed to accelerate research momentum, support high-quality publications, future external grant development, and increased research visibility and collaboration.
The preferred application closing date is 31 July 2026, and successful candidates must be able to commence in Research Quarter 4, 2026.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet Western Sydney University’s entry requirements for admission to a Doctor of Philosophy. The scholarship is open to domestic applicants only, as international applicants are not eligible under this RTP-funded scholarship category.

Applicants should have a strong academic background in one or more relevant fields, including but not limited to industrial design, architecture, built environment, sustainability, circular economy, design education, higher education, engineering education, environmental design, urban transformation, or related disciplines. A background in research methods relevant to education, design, sustainability, industry engagement, or built environment research will be highly regarded.

Applicants should be able to demonstrate capacity or strong potential to undertake independent doctoral research, including evidence of academic achievement, research writing ability, analytical thinking, and capacity to complete a PhD within the scholarship period. Experience with one or more of the following would be advantageous: curriculum or pedagogical research, living labs, circular design, sustainability assessment, industry-engaged learning, qualitative research, mixed-methods research, workshops, stakeholder engagement, or case study research.

Applicants should also have an interest in contributing to research with practical impact for Western Sydney’s built environment, sustainability transition, net-zero design education, and industry-engaged learning. As the project involves collaboration with academic and potentially industry stakeholders, applicants should be able to communicate professionally, work collaboratively, and engage ethically with participants and partners.

Applicants will first submit an Expression of Interest through the advertised project page. Supervisors will review EOIs and invite preferred candidates to submit a full application. Only full applications submitted by 31 August 2026 will be considered.

Applications close: 31 August 2026

PS2026_060_CS0889906_SoBED

From treatment decisions to recovery: co-designing operative and non-operative care pathways for paediatric anterior cruciate ligament injury

School of Health Sciences

Lead Supervisor: Dr Luke Jenkins

luke.jenkins@westernsydney.edu.au

Project aim

This project will address evidence gaps in paediatric anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury management by generating research to support shared decision-making and feasible rehabilitation pathways for children, families and clinicians. The PhD candidate will be situated within the School of Health Sciences, Physiotherapy Discipline and the Brain Stimulation and Rehabilitation (BrainStAR) Lab at Western Sydney University. They will be embedded in a collaborative team that includes youth rehabilitation researchers, clinical partners and external research collaborators. The candidate will be supported to propose and refine their own program of research, although a feasible program may include four linked studies: a scoping review, interviews with children and families, interviews with clinicians, and co-design of a paediatric ACL rehabilitation intervention.

Significance

Paediatric ACL injury is an increasing public health and clinical concern in Australia. An analysis of 228,344 Australian knee injuries identified a sharp rise in ACL injuries among younger Australians, particularly females aged 5–14 years. The 2018 International Olympic Committee consensus statement also highlights major evidence gaps, including no randomised trials comparing treatment approaches, limited long-term follow-up, and uncertainty about long-term knee health and quality of life.

Expected outcomes

The project is expected to produce new evidence on co-designed knee injury research, lived experience of paediatric ACL injury, decision-making needs, and clinician barriers and facilitators to implementing current consensus recommendations. These findings will inform the development of a paediatric ACL rehabilitation intervention suitable for both operative and non-operative management pathways.

Benefits

This project will generate publishable outputs, strengthen partnerships between Western Sydney University and external clinical and research partners, and build capacity in paediatric musculoskeletal rehabilitation research. The findings will provide the foundation for future external funding to evaluate the co-designed intervention in a clinical trial and ultimately improve care pathways for children with ACL injury.

What does the scholarship provide?

Domestic candidates will receive a tax-free stipend of $35,188 AUD per annum for up to 3 years to
support living costs, supported by the Research Training Program (RTP) Fee Offset.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for admission, you must have completed at least one of the following:

Bachelor (Honours Class 1 or Class 2) degree
Master of Research degree
Master of Philosophy
A University degree or tertiary institution equivalent to the above.

If you do not meet the admission criteria, the approval of prior research experience or other qualifications is at the discretion of the relevant School Dean or Institute Director.

Applications close: 31 August 2026

PS2026_061_CS0889906_SoHS

Modelling pipeline-seabed interactions for enhanced offshore resilience

School of Engineering

Lead Supervisor: Dr Pan Hu

p.hu@westernsydney.edu.au

This project aims to understand the mechanisms and mechanics of pipeline-seabed interaction under dynamic and cyclic loading, with a special focus on the cyclic response and embedment behaviour of pipelines within soft, cyclone-affected seabed sediments. This research addresses critical challenges in offshore infrastructure resilience and reliability. By advancing the understanding of dynamic soil-pipeline interaction, this project aims to contribute to new approaches to subsea pipeline design in fields such as offshore oil and gas, subsea renewable energy, and coastal and ocean engineering. The outcomes of this project will provide fundamental insights into the design and mitigation of pipeline-seabed interaction, including optimised trenching and backfill strategies and enhanced structural resilience, ultimately advancing the development of subsea infrastructure that can withstand extreme and evolving seabed conditions.

Through this project, the candidate will gain professional training in skills including numerical modelling and physical modelling, and will build a knowledge framework spanning offshore geotechnical engineering, ocean engineering and pipeline engineering.

What does the scholarship provide?

Domestic candidates will receive a tax-free stipend of $35,188 AUD per annum for up to 3 years to
support living costs, supported by the Research Training Program (RTP) Fee Offset.

Eligibility Criteria

The applicants from a range of backgrounds, who are keen to apply their skills to key issues in offshore infrastructure resilience and geotechnical engineering are welcomed. In particular, the project is suitable for candidates with strong interests in offshore geotechnics, seabed-pipeline interaction and physical or numerical modelling.

The successful applicant should:

Hold qualifications and experience equal to one of the following (i) an Australian First Class Bachelor (Honours) degree, (ii) coursework Masters with at least 25% research component, (iii) Research Masters degree, or (iv) equivalent overseas qualifications.
Demonstrate strong academic performance in subjects relevant to civil engineering, geotechnical engineering, offshore engineering or a closely related discipline.
Have an understanding of the importance of seabed geohazards and offshore pipeline integrity in extreme marine environments.
Be willing to learn physical and numerical modelling techniques for soil-pipeline interaction analysis.
Be enthusiastic and highly motivated to undertake further study at an advanced level.

Applications close: 31 August 2026

PS2026_062_CS0889906_SoEng

Coupled Geomechanical and Bio-Chemical Interactions for Corrosion Mitigation in Offshore Pipelines

School of Engineering

Lead Supervisor: Dr Pan Hu

p.hu@westernsydney.edu.au

This project aims to understand the coupled geomechanical and bio-chemical mechanisms driving microbiologically influenced corrosion in offshore pipeline systems within the warm, chloride-rich sediments of Australia's Indo-Pacific waters. The outcomes of this project will deliver fundamental insights into how seabed geomechanics and microbial activity jointly control pipeline corrosion processes. This knowledge will underpin the development of integrated geotechnical, biological, and electrochemical protection strategies, including improved burial depth design, trenching practices, and backfill selection. Ultimately, the project will contribute to a unified framework for enhancing offshore pipeline resilience, with significant relevance to the safe and sustainable management of global subsea pipeline infrastructure.

This project will provide the candidate with advanced training in geotechnical characterisation, microbiological analysis, and electrochemical testing. By integrating geotechnical engineering, microbiology, and chemical engineering, this project will equip the graduate with a unique interdisciplinary skill set and the expertise needed to tackle emerging challenges in offshore infrastructure.

What does the scholarship provide?

Domestic candidates will receive a tax-free stipend of $35,188 AUD per annum for up to 3 years to
support living costs, supported by the Research Training Program (RTP) Fee Offset.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants from a range of academic backgrounds—including geotechnical engineering, civil/offshore engineering, microbiology, chemical engineering, or corrosion science—who are keen to apply their skills to key issues in offshore infrastructure resilience are welcomed. In particular, this project is ideal for candidates seeking a unique interdisciplinary edge, combining offshore geotechnics with bio-chemical analysis to tackle real-world marine engineering challenges.

The successful applicant should:

Hold qualifications and experience equal to one of the following (i) an Australian First Class Bachelor (Honours) degree, (ii) coursework Masters with at least 25% research component, (iii) Research Masters degree, or (iv) equivalent overseas qualifications.
Demonstrate strong academic performance in subjects relevant to civil/geotechnical engineering, offshore engineering, microbiology, chemical engineering, materials/corrosion science, or a closely related discipline.
Have an understanding of the coupled mechanisms driving infrastructure degradation, specifically microbiologically influenced corrosion and pipeline integrity within marine sediment environments.
Be enthusiastic and highly motivated to undertake further study at an advanced level. Be eager to undergo advanced training and learn multi-disciplinary techniques.

Applications close: 31 August 2026

PS2026_063_CS0889906_SoEng

Sauna-Based Heat Therapy as a Novel Treatment for Alzheimer's Disease

School of Medicine

Lead Supervisor: Dr Rossana Rosa Porto

r.rosaporto@westernsydney.edu.au

Dementia is one of the most pressing global health challenges of ageing populations, with Alzheimer's disease (AD) being the most common dementia form. Despite decades of research, current therapies provide only modest symptomatic benefits, have major side effects, and do not halt underlying pathology. This PhD project will investigate an innovative, non-pharmacological approach that harnesses the body's natural heat shock response (induced by sauna-based heat therapy), a highly conserved protective pathway, to combat the biological processes driving AD.

The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary neuroscience research team investigating how controlled heat treatment can reduce protein aggregation, neuroinflammation and cognitive decline in clinically relevant mouse models of Alzheimer's disease. Building on compelling preliminary data demonstrating reduced amyloid pathology and improved functional outcomes following heat therapy, the student will explore the molecular mechanisms underlying these protective effects and identify biomarkers that could accelerate clinical translation.

The project offers extensive training in cutting-edge neuroscience techniques, including behavioural testing, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence, Western blotting, ELISA, quantitative molecular analyses, and microscopy. The student will also gain experience working with transgenic mouse models of neurodegeneration and contribute to a highly translational research program that includes collaboration with researchers to conduct qualitative human studies evaluating the feasibility and acceptability of sauna therapy in people at risk or living with Alzheimer's disease.

This research has the potential to transform how Alzheimer's disease is prevented and treated by providing the first mechanistic evidence for a safe, affordable and scalable therapy that activates endogenous protective pathways. The findings could pave the way for future clinical trials and ultimately improve quality of life for people living with Alzheimer's disease and their carers. This project is ideally suited to a motivated student interested in neurodegeneration, molecular neuroscience and translational research, with genuine potential for real-world impact.

What does the scholarship provide?

Domestic candidates will receive a tax-free stipend of $35,188 AUD per annum for up to 3 years to
support living costs, supported by the Research Training Program (RTP) Fee Offset.

Eligibility Criteria

We welcome applicants from a range of backgrounds who are passionate about neuroscience and translational biomedical research. The project is particularly suited to candidates with strong interests in neurodegeneration, molecular and cellular neuroscience or non-pharmacological treatments.

Applicants should:

Hold qualifications and experience equivalent to one of the following: (i) an Australian First Class Bachelor (Honours) degree, (ii) a coursework Master's degree with at least a 25% research component, (iii) a Research Master's degree, or (iv) an equivalent overseas qualification.

Have an interest in understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases and the development of novel therapeutic approaches.
Be willing to learn a range of laboratory techniques, including animal handling, behavioural testing, immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, ELISA, microscopy, and quantitative data analysis.
Previous research experience using animal models (particularly rodent models) and/or experience with molecular or histological techniques is highly desirable but not essential.
Be enthusiastic, highly motivated, and able to work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary research team.
Demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills and a commitment to producing high-quality research with translational impact.

Applications close: 31 August 2026

PS2026_067_CS0889906_SoM

Seeing What Matters: AI-Driven Food Quality and Intake Monitoring in Aged Care

School of Science

Lead Supervisor: Dr Arua Kalu

a.kalu@westernsydney.edu.au

The successful PhD candidate will be based at Western Sydney University (Hawkesbury Campus) and work within a multidisciplinary team spanning nutrition, food science, artificial intelligence, computer vision, and digital health. The candidate will also collaborate closely with aged care providers and industry partners to conduct research in real-world residential aged care settings.

The project will focus on developing and validating an innovative AI-driven system for automated dietary intake and food quality assessment in aged care. The candidate will undertake literature reviews, collect and manage dietary, food quality, and nutritional status data, and create image datasets for training and validating machine learning models. They will design and implement computer vision and artificial intelligence algorithms capable of estimating food consumption, assessing meal quality, and identifying residents at risk of malnutrition. The candidate will also evaluate system performance, usability, and feasibility through field validation studies in aged care facilities.

Throughout the project, the candidate will gain advanced skills in artificial intelligence, machine learning, image analysis, nutrition assessment, data analytics, and digital health research. They will be expected to publish findings in high-impact journals, present at national and international conferences, and engage with stakeholders to support translation of research outcomes into practice.

The research has significant potential impact. Malnutrition remains a major challenge in Australian aged care, affecting resident health outcomes, quality of life, and healthcare costs. By developing scalable and objective monitoring technologies, this project aims to improve the early detection of nutritional risk, enhance food quality management, reduce staff workload, and support compliance with aged care quality standards. The outcomes will contribute to evidence-based nutritional care and the development of practical digital health solutions that improve the wellbeing of older Australians while supporting a more sustainable aged care workforce.

What does the scholarship provide?

Domestic candidates will receive a tax-free stipend of $35,188 AUD per annum for up to 3 years to
support living costs, supported by the Research Training Program (RTP) Fee Offset.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants for this PhD project should meet the following essential criteria:

Academic Qualifications

A First Class or Upper Second Class Honours degree, Master of Research (MRes), Master of Philosophy (MPhil), or equivalent qualification in a relevant discipline such as:
- Nutrition and Dietetics
- Food Science
- Computer Science
- Artificial Intelligence
- Data Science
- Biomedical Science
- Health Informatics
- Engineering or related fields

Research Skills and Experience

Demonstrated interest in nutrition, healthy ageing, aged care, digital health, artificial intelligence, or related research areas.
Evidence of research capability, such as completion of a research thesis, dissertation, publication, conference presentation, or relevant research project.
Ability to conduct systematic literature reviews and critically evaluate scientific evidence.

Technical Skills

Desirable experience in one or more of the following areas:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML).
Computer Vision and Image Analysis.
Data Science and Statistical Modelling.
Programming languages such as Python, R, MATLAB, or similar.
Development and validation of predictive models.
Database management and data processing.

Professional and Interpersonal Skills

Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary research team.
Willingness to engage with aged care providers, industry partners, and other stakeholders.
Capacity to undertake data collection in aged care and community settings.

Desirable Attributes

Experience working in aged care, healthcare, nutrition, food services, digital health, or related environments.
Knowledge of nutrition assessment, malnutrition screening, food quality evaluation, or clinical research methods.
Experience handling large datasets and applying advanced statistical techniques.
Interest in translating research into practical solutions that improve health outcomes and quality of life for older adults.

The successful candidate will be motivated to work at the interface of Artificial Intelligence, Nutrition, Food Quality, and Ageing Research, contributing to innovative digital health solutions for Australian aged care.

Applications close: 31 August 2026

PS2026_066_CS0889906_SoSc

School Can't: Developing Parent and Child Knowedge into Transformational Change

School of Health Sciences

Lead Supervisor: Dr Caroline Mills

caroline.mills@westernsydney.edu.au

The candidate would develop their own project that centres the experiences of parents and children living with School Can't in order to inform policy and practice about how we support neurodiverse children. The project would particularly consider other intersectional factors such as language, geography, socio-economic status, LGBTIQ+ identity and ethnicity.

The selected candidate will be expected to conduct original qualitative or mixed-methods research to satisfy the requirements of a PhD under the supervision of the named academic team. The PhD will be centrally situated in the School of Health Sciences, with access to the additionally enriched research environments offered via the Institute for Culture and Society (ICS) and Transforming early Education And Child Health Research Centre (TeEACH).

What does the scholarship provide?

Domestic candidates will receive a tax-free stipend of $35,188 AUD per annum for up to 3 years to
support living costs, supported by the Research Training Program (RTP) Fee Offset.
Some financial support for conference attendance,
fieldwork and additional costs.
Opportunities for publication, Research Assistant
work, and teaching.
Partnership with School Can't Australia.
Access to the strong research networks and
supports of the School of Health Sciences, Institute
for Culture and Society, and TeEACH

Eligibility Criteria

The successful applicant should:
• Hold qualifications and experience equal to one of the
following: (i) an Australian First Class Bachelor
(Honours) degree; (ii) coursework Masters with at least
25% research component; (iii) Research Master’s
degree; or (iv) equivalent qualifications.
• Have a background in health sciences, education,
social sciences, or related fields.
• Demonstrate research experience with qualitative or
mixed methods.
• Demonstrate a deep understanding of the experience
of families living with School Can't.

Applications close: 31 August 2026

PS2026_068_CS0889906_SoHS

Frequently asked questions

All scholarship applicants must review the following frequently asked questions (FAQs) before submitting an application.

Can I apply for more than one scholarship at a time?

You can only create one application at a time in the application portal. You should apply based on your first preference of project and supervisor.

However, you may be considered for multiple opportunities at the discretion of the relevant School/Institute.

To apply for multiple project scholarships, please attach a cover letter identifying the project scholarships in order of your preferences to your application. You will also need to attach a letter of support from the Lead Researcher for each project scholarship.

If your application is unsuccessful you can submit a new application for a different scholarship.

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Contact us

For questions or advice about a project, please contact the Lead Researcher.

You can contact the Graduate Research School through our enquiry forms.

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