Impact PhD Scholarship, Silicon Production Using Hydrogen

• Full time, PhD scholarship position at our Hawthorn campus
• $28,854 p.a. for 3 years (with possible extension of 6 months)

About the Scholarship

Do you want to be part of the Green Silicon revolution?Contribute to Swinburne’s exciting Victorian Hydrogen Hub (VH2) by improving the sustainability of green silicon. One scholarship is available for an enthusiastic student to undertake the PhD degree with the research project Silicon Production using Hydrogen as part of a broader multidisciplinary research team.

Led by Swinburne University of Technology, working in partnership with CSIRO and Germany’s ARENA 2036, VH2 is bringing together researchers, industry partners and business. Testing, trialing and demonstrating new and emerging hydrogen technologies, VH2 is supporting sustainable manufacturing practices and the ability to store clean energy from renewable sources, striving to create a sustainable future for all.

Silicon is one of the critical “metals” and play important role in the human civilization. It is used for making alloys such as aluminium-silicon and ferro-silicon for many mechanical and metallurgical applications; for construction materials; as well as used in electronics (transistors, computer chips and solar cells). The whole process routes are energy intensive and it is imperative that low carbon production routes of silicon production are to be developed.

The major objectives of this project include a carrying out systematic review the major routes for silicon production; analyse how the carbon footprint/usage can be reduced along the process route including assessment of integration of hydrogen (and the use of hydrogen plasma) as source of fuel/heating and reductant for silicon production; and develop an alternative silicon production route using hydrogen/hydrogen plasma, supported by systematic thermodynamic evaluations.

About you

To be successful in the role, you will have:

• Bachelor of Engineering (4 years); Bachelor of Applied Science (4 years); or Masters degree, with a minimum average of 70% in the final year of study (H1 or H2A). The ideal candidate is expected to be enthusiastic, self-motivated with a demonstrable aptitude for research and development.
• Good team-working, observational and communication skills.
• Knowledge of thermodynamics and experience in high temperature experimentation are essential to carry out this study.

A full list of selection criteria is available within the position description.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Engineering (4 years); Bachelor of Applied Science (4 years); or Masters degree, with a minimum average of 70% in the final year of study (H1 or H2A). The ideal candidate is expected to be enthusiastic, self-motivated with a demonstrable aptitude for research and development.

About Swinburne University of Technology

Swinburne Horizon 2025 draws upon our understanding of future challenges. With this new strategic plan, we choose to build Swinburne as the prototype of a new and different university – one that is truly of Technology, of Innovation and of Entrepreneurship, and proud of it. We are committed to a differentiated university proposition in education and research, so that:

• Every Swinburne learner gets a work experience
• Every Swinburne graduate gets a job
• Every Swinburne partner gets a tech solution
• Swinburne is the prototype of global best practice

The achievement of our 2025 moon shots depends on our capacity to work collectively, always, as One Swinburne.

To Apply

Please submit your CV and cover letter addressing why you believe you are suitable for this position.

For further information about this role please contact: Prof Akbar Rhamdhani arhamdhani@swin.edu.au

Please Note: Appointment to this position is subject to passing a Working with Children Check.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your application, please contact the Swinburne Talent Acquisition Team on staffrecruitment@swin.edu.au   

Applications Close: Monday 14 November 2022 at 11:30 pm

Swinburne offers flexible working options, leave and parenting/carer policies to support work life balance.