PhD in materials science

PhD stipend of $28,597 pa for 3 years (tax free)

Tuition fees waived.

A fully-funded PhD scholarship is available in computational materials science to study organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). An OLED uses organic semiconductor materials to generate light, for example, in mobile phone screens and TVs. OLED displays are already in the market, but there is still significant room for improvement. A major gap in understanding is the impact of nano- and microscale film structure on device performance. There is an opportunity for a motivated PhD student to address these challenges and contribute to the next generation of organic semiconductor technology.

The broader context

This PhD project is part of a multi-university (University of Queensland, Murdoch University and James Cook University) and multi-disciplinary collaboration funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Projects. There are a total of three PhD positions available. This project focuses on electrical properties of materials and devices. The other two projects are: (1) experimental studies of thin film morphology at the University of Queensland under the primary supervision of Prof. Ian Gentle, and (2) computational studies at James Cook University under the primary supervision of Dr. Bronson Philippa. All three PhD students will work closely together as a cohort, in collaboration with the academics and postdoctoral researchers at each institution.

About the PhD project

The successful applicant will study the electrical currents, charge transport and photocarrier recombination in novel nano-structured semiconductors and optoelectronic devices. Standard Time-of-Flight, quasi steady state current-voltage, Hall-effect as well as novel CELIV methods will be used. Time-dependent electrical characterisation of organic semiconductors and OLED devices using oscilloscopes, signal generators, voltage-current supply and measure units, lasers, LEDs with pulsed electronics will be applied. C and Labview language programming of measurement equipment will be required.

What we offer

The successful applicant will receive an ARC-funded stipend equal in value to the Research Training Program Scholarship, which in 2021 is AUD$28,597 per annum (indexed annually). The stipend is for three years with a possible extension of 6 months in approved circumstances. The scholarship is tax-free.

We also provide funding to support the research, including for travel to visit collaborators and attend conferences.

Eligibility requirements

Applicants must meet Murdoch’s entry requirements for admission to a PhD. Award of the scholarship is conditional on the university accepting your enrolment. The successful applicant will be guided through the process of formally applying for admission.

This is an interdisciplinary project so applicants from a wide range of academic backgrounds will be considered. Applications should have strong undergraduate knowledge in some of these areas:

•Semiconductor physics, electrochemistry and materials science.

•Computer programming.

This project is based in Murdoch, Western Australia and is available for immediate start. For eligibility reasons the candidate must be living in Australia.

How to apply

To express your interest in this scholarship and PhD research opportunity, please prepare the following items:

1.A cover letter describing the exciting projects you have worked on in the past.

2.A brief CV, including qualifications, academic achievements, list of publications, work history, and references.

3.A copy of your academic transcript(s).

Please submit your application via email to [email protected]

The scholarship may be filled before the end of the life of the advertising period, so you are encouraged to get in contact as soon as possible.