PhD Scholarship – opportunity between Swinburne University and University of Auckland

Swinburne University of Technology

Melbourne

Description

  • Focus area of scholarship: Exploring CFRP Part Production Automation Using Plasma-treated Recycled Matrix Material
  • Full time, fixed term (4 years) position at our Hawthorn campus
  • SUPRA scholarship, with industry top-up scholarship

About The Scholarship

Swinburne University of Technology has established collaborative research with the University of Auckland on the topic of industrial scale use of recycled plastics composite materials. As part of this partnership, a jointly funded PhD position has been estbalished, researching the use of the recycled materials in the production of composite parts. Material characteristics, processability and resulting mechanical part performance and design will be central topics in this project. The candidate will be based at Swinburne’s Hawthorn campus as well as in the Swinburne/CSIRO Testlab for Composite Additive Manufacturing.

This is a cutting-edge facility in digitally enhanced, automated manufacturing of composite parts using tape-laying approaches and low-pressure forming. University of Auckland’s composites team has long been established as a world-leading research group on polymer composites manufacturing and performance. Auckland researchers study treatments and processes required to create fibre composite tapes and sheets as input to scalable, automated manufacturing processes.

About Swinburne University Of Technology

Swinburne is a young university with a long history. As a dual-sector university of technology, born of a technical college, we are proud of Swinburne’s technology DNA, and of our national and global standing. Our contribution to Technology, Entrepreneurship, Innovation and the STEM disciplines, and our track record of meaningful industry and community engagement, are natural manifestations of the legacy initiated by the vision of our founders George and Ethel Swinburne in 1902. We offer postgraduate, undergraduate, vocational education and online education to provide students with a variety of work-relevant pathways.

About You

To be successful in the role, you will have:

  • A 4-year Bachelor/Honours degree with 1st or 2nd class honours; and/or a Master’s degree in mechanical, manufacturing or materials engineering or a related field; and/or a Bachelor’s degree with relevant work experience;
  • The ability to work independently and drive the project while staying connected to your supervisory team at Swinburne and representatives of University of Auckland;
  • Experience in one or more of the following topic areas:
  • Digital engineering, design and manufacturing, including model-based engineering/computer-aided engineering (FEA, process simulation)
  • Composite materials manufacturing;
  • Materials engineering and/or characterisation;
  • Data science, machine learning for augmented design and manufacturing.

How To Apply And Further Information

To view the position description or to start an application please click on 'apply' or ‘begin’ and submit a resume, cover letter and a response to the Key Selection Criteria , as listed in the position description.

For further information about this position, contact Prof Boris Eisenbart | [email protected]

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your application, please contact the Talent Acquisition team at [email protected]

Applications Close: Sunday 19 July 2026, at 11.00pm

Diversity and Inclusion

Swinburne has become a world-class university, driving social and economic impacts through science, technology, and innovation. As a dual-sector university, our vision is for people and technology working together to build a better world.

Central to our vision is our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We pride ourselves on being an equal opportunity employer focused on attracting, retaining, and developing great talent. We work to remove barriers related to gender identity, culture, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, and age.

Swinburne is proud to be recognised as an AWEI Gold Employer, reflecting our commitment to creating an inclusive workplace where LGBTQIA+ employees, students and communities can thrive.

We strongly encourage applicants from diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Our Moondani Toombadool Centre leads our Indigenous education and culture at Swinburne, guided by community wisdom and leadership.

We support applicants with disabilities, and reasonable adjustments can be requested at any stage of the recruitment process.

For reasonable adjustment requests - including accessible formats of the position description, application form, or other documents, please contact [email protected] or call +61 3 9214 3550. Please note: this phone number is for disability and reasonable adjustment enquiries only. General enquiries about the role can also be emailed to [email protected].

(Agency enquiries will not be accepted for this position)