Project Supervisor
School and Centre
Location
Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus
Research topic
A PhD position in optofluidics has emerged through an Australian Research Council Linkage grant in collaboration with EcoDetection, a Melbourne-based company. Leveraging intellectual property from the research team, EcoDetection has pioneered the first environmental monitoring system utilising capillary electrophoresis.
This system's durability has been proven through extensive nutrient monitoring deployments in New Zealand and Tasmania. Briefly, at timed intervals, for example every hour, the system takes a sample from a river, and after limited sample preparation, analyses this by capillary electrophoresis with conductivity detection. The detection signal is processed to identify analyte identity through migration time and concentration through peak height. This PhD scholarship forms part of a broader project with the University of Tasmania, focusing on enhancing the system's performance and expanding its applicability to new analyte classes via advancements in chemistry and hardware. This research is partially funded by the Australian Government through the Australian Research Council.
Project aim
In its current form, the EcoDetection system includes a custom-designed conductivity detector. To broaden the range of detectable analytes and improve sensitivity, expanding the system hardware to include a fluorescence detector is envisioned. The objective of the PhD project is the design, development, and evaluation of a fluorescence detector specifically for the EcoDetection system. Given the use of a narrow bore capillary for separation and the complex fluid management involved, the detector design will require high level understanding of optics and fluidics. During the design phase, numerical simulations (COMSOL) will be used to guide decision-making before building and testing prototypes. This experimental PhD will therefore also incluce computational components. The research student will collaborate closely with a mechanical engineer to facilitate the production of custom components using Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining and high-resolution 3D printing.
Important dates
Applications close 5pm, Sunday 17 November 2024
Benefits
This scholarship is available over 3 years.
- Stipend of $34,400 per annum tax exempt (2024 rate)
- 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.
Eligibility criteria
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.
Additional desirable criteria include:
- The succesfull applicant is expected to have a in-depth understanding of optics, theoretically and practically in order to be able to creatively identify solutions. Additional experience of the use of optics in fluidic systems would be a significant advantage. As the student will be part of a larger team, well developed presentation and communication skills are also required.
How to apply
Please email a CV and cover letter to Prof Rosanne Guijt. The CV should highlight your skills, education, publications and relevant work experience. If you are successful you will then be invited to submit a formal application.
Contact us
For more information about this scholarship, please contact Prof Rosanne Guijt
Prof Rosanne Guijt
Email Prof Rosanne Guijt
+61 3 522 72531