PhD Scholarship: Advanced Nanomaterials for Precision Diagnostics and Targeted Antimicrobial Therapy

Description

Flinders University invites expressions of interest from outstanding candidates for a fully funded PhD scholarship to explore the design and engineering of advanced nanomaterials for diagnostics and targeted antimicrobial treatment.

The project will be conducted at the Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute (FHMRI), a vibrant and collaborative research environment equipped with world-class facilities. The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary team of leading researchers and benefit from tailored supervision, strong mentorship, and established collaborations with national and international partners.

This research aims to develop innovative nanomaterial-based technologies for precision antimicrobial therapy, with the goal of improving the treatment of chronic and biofilm-associated wound infections. The project integrates expertise in biomaterials, drug delivery, and antimicrobial technologies to create translational solutions that can address critical challenges in wound care.

We are seeking enthusiastic and motivated candidates with a strong academic background and a keen interest in drug delivery systems, antimicrobial technologies, chemical engineering, biomaterials, or wound infection research. The successful candidate will gain advanced technical training, access to cutting-edge research facilities, and valuable professional development opportunities that will support a successful career in academia, industry, or the biomedical sector.

Applicants with a strong interest in the following areas are particularly encouraged to apply:

• Drug delivery systems
• Antimicrobial agents and antimicrobial resistance
• Biochemical or biomedical engineering
• Nanomedicine 
• Biosensing

Benefits

• A stipend valued at $36,061* per annum (2026 rate) tax free
• The scholarship will be awarded for 3.5 years
• A Research Training Program Fee Offset Scholarship to cover tuition fees for Australian Citizens, NZ Citizens and Permanent Residents.
• International applicants will be considered case by case with outstanding track record preferably those who lives in Australia.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the award of this scholarship a student must:

• Be an Australian citizen; or New Zealand citizen; or have been granted permanent resident status; or are international citizens who are currently in Australia 
• meet PhD admission requirements including: have an Australian Honours degree Class 1 or 2A or equivalent qualification (at least AQF Level 8), including a research component of at least 6 months’ full-time study achieving Distinction (75%) OR including evidence of equivalent research experience, such as a substantial first-author refereed publication or track record as an investigator on a competitive grant.
• be available to commence as a full-time PhD student at Flinders University in semester 2, 2026.