HDR Scholarship - Bio-based hybrid composite panels for construction

Renewable bio-composite materials such as timber and bamboo have been used in structural applications for centuries, and advancement in manufacturing and construction techniques have evolved the way we still use those materials in the current civilisation. While traditional fossil-based construction materials such as concrete, bricks, steel etc. are responsible for generating almost 13% of annual CO² emissions, renewable materials have negative carbon footprint and capture CO² from the environment throughout their entire lifespan. The timber construction sector in Australia is heavily dependent on domestic soft wood plantation, which meets almost 70% of the total demand. The construction industry often experience unusual high demand for timber as has been recently experienced during the post-COVID period, when sheer vulnerability of the sector was exposed as timber demand skyrocketed worldwide. This phenomenon clearly highlights significance of innovation to maximise the use of the available resource and to find possible alternative renewable materials that can complement timber construction.

This project will be collaborative research between timber industry and House of Bamboo to produce novel composite panels that will exploit unique material properties of timber and bamboo in an effective manner.

Applications will remain open until a candidate has been appointed.

This scholarship is available over 3 years.

• Stipend of $45,550, per annum tax exempt (inclusive of a top-up of $10,000, as per the REACH agreement)
• Relocation allowance of $500-1500 (for single to family) for students moving from interstate

International students only:

• Tuition fees offset for the duration of 4 years.
• Single Overseas Student Health Cover policy for the duration of the student visa.

To be eligible you must:

• be a domestic or international candidate. Domestic includes candidates with Australian Citizenship, Australian Permanent Residency or New Zealand Citizenship.
• meet Deakin's PhD entry requirements
• be enrolling full time and hold an honours degree (first class) or an equivalent standard master's degree with a substantial research component.

Please refer to the research degree entry pathways page for further information.