Project Information
Mode
Internal
Study As
Full Time
Principal Supervisor
Associate Professor Matthew Griffith
Main Campus
Mawson Lakes
Applications Close
28 Jul 2024
Study Level
PhD
Applications Open To
Domestic Candidate or International Candidate
All domestic students are eligible for a fee waiver. International students who receive a stipend are eligible for a fee waiver. Find out more about fees and conditions.
Project Stipend:
$32,500 p.a. (2023 rates) available to domestic and international applicants
Would you like to join our team’s mission to change the world by re-programming neurological conditions out of existence? We’d love your help to achieve our goal; developing soft electronic materials that overcome the communication gap between the electronic and biological worlds.
Communicating with the human body using electronic devices is a grand challenge in materials science. Despite decades of intense research, the bioelectronics field remains limited by the materials available to modulate neuronal signalling. Although silicon microelectronics and metal electrodes have been the historic gold standard for bioelectronic interfaces, they exhibit a low biocompatibility, a mechanical stiffness that is poorly matched with soft tissue, and require costly external power supplies to deliver current. Soft organic conductors are an exciting pathway to solving these problems, but still require major breakthroughs to overcome challenges with chronic stability and insufficient charge generation for reliable neuromodulation.
This project will combine soft organic conductors with nanoparticle synthesis strategies to create bio-functional inks that can be printed via 3D fabrication into flexible multimodal electrodes for wireless optical neuromodulation. This new paradigm solves all three major challenges preventing organic conductors from achieving long-term neuromodulation.
Where you’ll be based
An internationally recognised research institute, the Future Industries Institute (FII) solves real world problems via collaboration, innovation and technological advances. With state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure, new technologies and approaches are being developed to support state and national economic growth. Working closely with industry partners and end-users ensures our researchers and students engage in real world experiences to create local, national and global impact.
Supervisory team
This project is funded for reasonable research expenses. Additionally, a living allowance scholarship of $32,500 per annum is available to eligible applicants. Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants will be eligible to receive an increased stipend rate of $46,653 per annum (2023 rates). A fee-offset or waiver for the standard term of the program is also included. For full terms and benefits of the scholarship please refer to our scholarship information for domestic students or international students.
Eligibility and Selection
This project is open to applications from both domestic and international applicants. Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria for entrance into a PhD.
Additionally, applicants must meet the project selection criteria:
- Hold an Honours or Master degree in a discipline relevant to materials science or engineering (e.g. Chemistry, Physics, Bioengineering)
- Experience with one or both of the following: optimising materials and fabricating solution-processed optoelectronic devices (e.g. sensors, photovoltaic cells, LEDs etc) AND/OR characterising optoelectronic devices using a range of steady state and transient techniques (e.g. UV-vis, photoluminescence, mobility/lifetime measurements, EIS etc)
- Excellent written and oral communication skills demonstrated through written work such as research reports, research publications and educational materials, and through effective liaison with external partners, colleagues and students
The successful applicant is expected to study full-time and to be based at our Mawson Lakes campus in the north of Adelaide.
Essential Dates
Applicants are expected to start in a timely fashion upon receipt of an offer. Extended deferral periods are not available. Applications close on Sunday 28 July 2024.
How to apply:
Applications must be lodged online, please note UniSA does not accept applications via email.
For further support see our step-by-step guide on how to apply , or contact the Graduate Research team on +61 8 8302 5880, option 1 or email us at research.admissions@unisa.edu.au. You will receive a response within one working day.
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If you wish to develop your own project please review our guidelines and contact the Graduate Research Admissions team if you have any questions.
