RHRI Project Scholarships

Project: Developing Handheld Devices for Detecting Exosomes and Protein Biomarkers

Location: Biosensing and Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory (Shiddiky Laboratory), Charles Sturt University (Orange Campus, NSW)

We are offering a fully funded PhD scholarship for a highly motivated student to join an ARC Discovery Project focused on the development of a next-generation handheld diagnostic device for analysing exosomes and proteins in biological samples. This interdisciplinary project integrates device engineering, nanotechnology, and biosensing to create a microfluidic-based portable diagnostic platform with multimodal detection capabilities. The successful candidate will gain hands-on experience in designing, constructing, and testing a 3D-printed microfluidic device, with a particular emphasis on proof-of-concept demonstrations and validation studies for the analysis of exosomes and protein biomarkers.

Scholarship Details:

The student will receive an stipend of $35,000 per annum for three years with opportunities for professional development for a start between Session 3 of 2025 and Session 1 of 2026.

Key Selection Criteria:

• A degree equivalent to first-class honours in Australia.
• Academic background in one or more of the following areas: Analytical Chemistry, Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Mechanical Engineering (with a microfluidics/biomedical focus), Chemical Engineering (especially with biosensor or lab-on-chip experience), or Biomedical Engineering (with a GPA equivalent to High Distinction in Australia).
• Experience in microfabrication and hands-on device fabrication skills are desirable but not essential.
• Strong academic writing and communication skills.
• A solid track record of research publications.
• Domestic applicants: Must have completed (or expect to complete) a bachelor's degree with first-class honours and intend to enrol full-time in an approved doctoral program.
• International applicants: Must have an overall IELTS score of 6.5 or higher (with no individual band below 6.0) or an equivalent TOEFL score.
• Due to time constraints in filling the position, priority will be given to qualified candidates currently residing in Australia.

Supervisory team:

1. Prof Muhammad J. A. Shiddiky, Principal Supervisor, Charles Sturt University
2. Prof Chamindie Punyadeera, Associate Supervisor, Griffith University
3. Dr Tanveer Hussain, Associate Supervisor, The University of New England
4. Dr Kevin Koo, Associate Supervisor, The University of Queensland

Contact:
Prof Muhammad J. A. Shiddiky (mshiddiky@csu.edu.au)
Dr Kevin Koo (m.koo@uq.edu.au)

Project: Advancing Magnetically Induced Fluid Mixing and MNzyme–Biomolecule Interactions for Next-Generation Biosensing

Location: Biosensing and Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory (Shiddiky Laboratory), Charles Sturt University (Orange Campus, NSW)

We are offering two fully funded PhD positions as part of an ARC Discovery Project investigating how magnetic nanoparticles behave in fluids under low-gradient magnetic field. These projects aim to reveal the underlying science of magnetically induced fluid mixing and explore how it can enhance microfluidic-based biosensing technologies.

• PhD Position 1 will focus on experimental studies, tracking fluid motion and nanoparticle interactions within microfluidic devices using advanced analytical techniques.
• PhD Position 2 will concentrate on theoretical modeling and simulations, using tools such as density functional theory (DFT) with van der Waals corrections to explore molecular-scale interactions.

Scholarship Details:

Each student will receive a stipend of $35,000 per annum for three years, with opportunities for professional development. The preferred start date is between Session 3 of 2025 and Session 1 of 2026.

Key Selection Criteria:

• A degree equivalent to first-class honours in Australia
• Strong academic writing and communication skills
• A solid track record of research publications
• Experience in microfabrication and hands-on device fabrication is desirable but not essential

• PhD Position 1: Experimental Studies

Academic background in one or more of the following areas: Analytical Chemistry, Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Mechanical Engineering (with a microfluidics/biomedical focus), Chemical Engineering (especially with biosensor or lab-on-chip experience), Fluid dynamics (especially in micro/nanoscale environments) or Instrumentation and lab-based experimental design (with a GPA equivalent to High Distinction in Australia).

• PhD Position 2: Theoretical Modeling and Simulations

Academic background in one or more of the following areas: Theoretical physics or physical chemistry, Density functional theory (DFT) (especially with dispersion corrections) and molecular dynamics (MD) or other computational modeling techniques, Nanoparticle interactions and surface phenomena,  Computational fluid dynamics (CFD),  Applied mathematics or numerical simulations

Additional Requirements:

• Domestic applicants: Must have completed (or expect to complete) a bachelor's degree with first-class honours and intend to enrol full-time in an approved doctoral program.

• International applicants: Must have an overall IELTS score of 6.5 or higher (with no individual band below 6.0) or an equivalent TOEFL score.

• Due to time constraints in filling the position, priority will be given to qualified candidates currently residing in Australia.

Supervisory team:

1. Prof Muhammad J. A. Shiddiky, Principal Supervisor, Charles Sturt University
2. Prof Chamindie Punyadeera, Associate Supervisor, Griffith University
3. Dr Tanveer Hussain, Associate Supervisor, The University of New England
4. Dr Kevin Koo, Associate Supervisor, The University of Queensland

Contact:
Prof Muhammad J. A. Shiddiky (mshiddiky@csu.edu.au)
Prof Chamindle Punyadeera ( c.punyadeera@griffith.edu.au)
Dr Tanveer Hussain (tanveer.hussain@une.edu.au)
Dr Kevin Koo (m.koo@uq.edu.au)