Shape-Shifting Biomaterials

About this project

Advance our knowledge and application of biomaterials

If you are keen to launch your career in bioengineering and interested in developing world-leading innovations in biomaterials, the University of South Australia – Australia’s University of Enterprise – is offering a hands-on project-based PhD with important community impact within the Future Industries Institute (FII). 

Our project aims to engineer biomaterials that autonomously change their shape and size over a pre-designed time course. Gradual and spontaneous change in shape and size is the default mode in tissue development. Yet, this has not been considered as a design parameter for most biomaterials.  

We seek to develop new biomaterials that can revolutionise surgical procedures, providing real patient benefits by being less invasive and reducing the number of repeat hospital visits. 

By combining advances in polymer chemistry, materials science and engineering (including 3D printing) in a novel way, our project will lead to new biomaterials with unique properties. Crucially, we will also contribute to a deep understanding of their structure–property relationships, which will instruct future development of a range of functional biomaterials. 

You will join a vibrant cohort within the FII and be based in the Biofabrication laboratory. This lab is equipped for chemical synthesis, characterisation and 3D printing of polymer biomaterials, including Cellink BioX and LumenX open platform 3D (bio)printers). You will also benefit from access to cutting-edge materials characterisation and nanofabrication facilities within the FII. 

As part of our research team, you will collaborate within a dynamic research environment, alongside accomplished peers and subject matter experts. The environment fosters mentorship and offers professional development opportunities, creating an ideal space to produce high-quality research outcomes. 

What you’ll do

In this project-based research degree, you will design and conduct a laboratory-based project, synthesise and characterise polymer biomaterials, and experiment with 3D printing.  

You will make new biomaterials and investigate their shape-shifting abilities. Through systematic study you will unravel the material properties required to enable this shape-shifting process. Then, you will translate this knowledge to make shape-shifting structures via 3D printing with these new biomaterials. 

You will have opportunities to disseminate your research results to and garner feedback from the wider academic community and industry. 

Where you’ll be based

You will be based in FII. We partner with industry and the professions to deliver innovation and technological advances to solve real world challenges. With research strengths across 5 sectors that cross disciplines from biomaterials engineering to minerals processing, FII creates local and global impact. Our research degree students partner with industry and end-users to develop their skills and relevant career experience and our state-of-the-art facilities support research growth and expertise. We work with SME’s via the Institute’s Testlab and provide R&D services that support industry challenges which is part of our $80million of infrastructure that consists specialised laboratories and equipment. Financial Support

This project is funded for reasonable research expenses. Additionally, a living allowance scholarship of $35,200 per annum (2025 rate) is available to eligible applicants. Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants will be eligible to receive an increased stipend rate of $50,291 per annum. 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 Chemistry, Biomedical or Chemical Engineering or a related field
• Wet-lab research experience (desirable)

All applications that meet the eligibility and selection criteria will be considered for this project.

The successful applicant is expected to study full-time and 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 Monday 25 November 2024.