Scholarship details
Study levels
Research
Student type
Future students and Current students
Study area
Engineering, Science, technology and engineering and mathematics
Citizenship
Australian or New Zealand and International
What you'll receive
- You'll receive a stipend scholarship of $37,010 per annum for a maximum duration of 3.5 years while undertaking a QUT PhD (1.75 years for MPhil). The duration includes an extension of up to 6 months (PhD) or 3 months (MPhil) if approved for your candidature. This is the full-time, tax-free rate which will index annually.
- If you're a domestic student, you will receive a Research Training Program Fee-Offset for your research degree.
- If you're an international student, you will also receive a QUT tuition fee sponsorship for your research degree.
- As the scholarship recipient, you will have the opportunity to work with a team of leading researchers, to undertake your own innovative research in and across the field.
Eligibility
- Completion of a Bachelor (Honours) or Master by Research degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, chemical engineering, applied mathematics, applied physics or related disciplines
Desired:
- Demonstrated knowledge or experience in one or more of the following areas: fluid mechanics, multiphase flow, electrohydrodynamics, electrochemistry, bubble dynamics, and electrolysis experiments.
- Demonstrated knowledge or experience in using some numerical methods such as lattice Boltzmann method, finite difference (element, volume) method, phase-field method.
- Demonstrated programming skills in one or more languages or platforms, such as Matlab, C++, Python, Openfoam, Ansys, COMSOL.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems.
- Demonstrated academic research experience as evidenced by publications in high quality research journals or conferences.
How to apply
- The first step is to email Prof Emilie Sauret detailing your academic and research background, your motivation to research in this field and interest in this scholarship, and include your CV.
- Shortlisted applicants will be contacted to arrange a short discussion/interview. If you are nominated as our preferred scholarship recipient, you will be asked to submit an Expression of Interest as outlined here.
About the scholarship
We are seeking a PhD candidate to investigate gas bubble dynamics under the influence of electric fields, with a particular focus on applications in electrochemical hydrogen production. The project will examine the physical mechanisms governing bubble generation, growth, detachment, coalescence, and transport near electrode surfaces, with the aim of improving bubble removal and enhancing the efficiency of water electrolysis systems.
Hydrogen and oxygen bubbles generated at electrode surfaces can block active reaction sites, increase local resistance, disturb mass transport, and reduce the overall efficiency of electrochemical devices. However, the coupled interactions between bubble dynamics, electric fields, charge transport, interfacial forces, electrode wettability, and flow conditions remain insufficiently understood. This project will address this challenge by developing a multiphysics numerical framework coupling multiphase flow and electric field for predicting bubble behaviour under electrically driven conditions. Model validation will be carried out using well-controlled single-bubble experiments. Once validated, the model will be used to investigate complex bubble behaviour including bubble detachment, interaction, coalescence, and transport processes near electrodes. The project will examine the effects of key operating and design parameters, such as electrode wettability, pulsed DC conditions, and background flow conditions, on bubble removal and electrochemical performance. The outcomes will provide new physical insights into electrically controlled bubble dynamics and support the development of more efficient hydrogen production technologies.
The PhD candidate will be supervised by Prof Emilie Sauret, Prof Dezso Sera, and Dr Jiachen Zhao and will have the opportunity to work in a multidisciplinary research environment combining computational fluid dynamics, electrohydrodynamics, electrochemical systems, and experimental flow visualisation.
The study mode for this scholarship is Full time, Internal.